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Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust adopts biodegradable bedpans
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Vernacare
: 17 December, 2009 (Application Story) |
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The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust is replacing plastic bedpans at its Wonford Hospital with a green and hygienic alternative that saves staff time. |
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The Trust has replaced its traditional bedpans and bedpan washers with the Vernacare infection prevention system of biodegradable pulp products and maceration in which the pulp is broken down into minute, biodegradable fragments which then wash down the drain with the waste water.
A multi-disciplinary team from the Trust, involving both estates and infection prevention specialists, examined carefully the business case of the washer dryer system versus maceration. The conclusion was that the two systems were fairly even on price, with the capital investment cost of installing macerators and the price of pulp balanced by the significant maintenance and energy costs associated with sterilisation. However, the Vernacare system was considered superior from an infection prevention and environmental perspective, and would speed and ease the waste disposal process.
Andy Cosway, Estates Officer for the Trust, commented: “The deciding factor in moving over to maceration was infection prevention. We have installed Vernacare’s new Vortex macerators and were particularly impressed with the hands-free, foot operating opening mechanism which helps cut infection risk. From a technical perspective, we were also very taken by the ability to open the machine diaphragm in order to carry out maintenance”.
“The Vortex is a well engineered, but simple machine that is easy to maintain. We also have Vernacare’s own engineering team available on call who are very fast and responsive if you have any issues or problems, and helpful in passing on their knowledge”.
The Vortex takes hygienic single-use pulp disposal into a new era – combining improved infection prevention features and ease of use with fast cycle times, reliability and excellent environmental performance.
The macerator has an anti bacterial deodoriser which cleans inside the macerator at the end of the cycle and assists in improving the sluice room environment. It also combines a new hands-free lid opening mechanism, a self diagnosing LCD, and manual emptying override switch that make maintenance much easier. |
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