discarding propofol?

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hi-

i'm new to the ICU and was wondering if there is a protocol to discarding unused propofol from a drip? do you need to waste like a narcotic drip or can you just discard? thanks!

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Specializes in ER, OR, MICU.

It's based on your hospital policy but we just discard it.

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

My hospital doesn't consider propofol a controlled substance, so we simply discard it.

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

We also discard. If you to waste it, it is very difficult to get that bottle open!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I always put it in the big needle box, but that's just so it's doesn't break in the trash when the housekeepers have to haul the bag out. But I certainly don't count up how many mLs are left!

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Specializes in He who hesitates is probably right....

We toss it in the trash.

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Specializes in SICU--CRNA 2010.

trash it

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac, Education.

Check with your hospital pharmacy to see if your institution has a specific policy.

Because it it is a glass bottle, I put it in the biohazard trash (all glass items go in there) or in a needle box.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I draw the left over out with a needle and syringe, and spray the med in the sink. Glass bottle goes in the sharps.

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Specializes in SICU.

It's definitely based on your hospital's policy. Where I currently work, we just discard. At my prior hospital, you and a witness had to estimate the volume left in the bottle and then drain the waste down the sink and record. We had major issues with people stealing Propofol and even one of our doctors OD and died.

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