How you spend your pennies ... factors affecting the efficiency of human waste disposal systems (re-usable and disposable) and their cost.
Both re-usable and disposable systems have their merits and problems. The disposable system, being fully integrated, appears to be steadily gaining market share compared with the re-usable system. Since its introduction, the success of the re-usable system has been limited by the use of pans not designed for automatic processing. Where the 'perfection' pan has been superseded by 'open' shaped receptacles and those used in commode chairs, cleaning effectiveness can be improved by a factor of 10. For this and other reasons, nursing involvement in the re-usable system can be high while the 'perfection' pan is in use. A work study exercise to compare nursing involvement in re-usable and disposable systems is under way. When selecting a human waste disposal system for any site, it is vital that all disciplines discuss and decide objectives. The equipment usage, space, site conditions, availability and quality of supplies (eg water, electricity), the costs of maintenance, nursing time and other expenditure must be considered. The disposable system is capable of high process rates (more than double that of the fastest re-usable system). Its capital cost is currently about 1,000 pounds less than an average re-usable system, but in the busiest wards, revenue costs may be higher. In such wards the space for disposable receptacle storage can be as much as five to ten times machine volume. The design of macerators is generally simpler (having less components) than washer-disinfectors. Monitoring and maintenance involvement are likewise expected to be lower, particularly in hospitals with modern drainage systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D004203:Disinfection; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000191:economics; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008284:Maintenance and Engineering, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D012722:Sewage; D014038:Toilet Facilities / Q000191:economics*; D006113:United Kingdom
D012722:Sewage