How You Can Help
1) Be knowledgeable.
| Check out the links we have listed for more information on this subject. Feel free to add links to any information yourselves!
2) Help raise awareness.
- Click on the following link and print out the "Down the Sink Means in your Drink" logo to post on you hospital unit Logo: "Down the Sink Means in your Drink". It was developed as a tool to remind nurses to dispose of medications appropriately. Such posters, hung at sinks in medication rooms and pharmacies, can help remind nurses to dispose of medication appropriately.
- Help to educate your colleagues on the issue.
3) Model environmental nursing in your own practice.
? As a self-regulating profession, all nurses are responsible for their own practice.
" Advocate for development of waste management policies in your facility. Many hospitals currently dispose of excess material in syringes to drains, where they pass into sewer systems. It is highly recommended that medical facilities adopt a best management practice of wasting excess material in syringes into a medical waste container prior to or after the administration of injections. In general, medical facilities should be encouraged to reduce discharges of pharmaceuticals to the sewer to the extent feasible.
" Separate different types of wastes and place collection devices within easy reach of nurses. Involving nursing staff in the placement of collection devices may help to ensure wastes are disposed of properly.
4) Encourage your organization to purchase more environmentally sensitive products.
? Advocate for the phasing out of mercury and PVC-containing products. There are cost effective alternatives currently being marketed and purchased by some organizations. One alternative to mercury-containing products includes digital equipment.
? Encourage your organization to purchase more reusable items rather than disposable items.
5) Check out a summary of the World Health Organization's (1999) waste management guidelines.
There are some good examples about how to reduce the amount of waste generated, segregate waste streams, and dispose of pharmaceuticals properly.