Let's talk TRASH! Useless, outdated, OLD equipment or supplies on your unit, that is!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 1, 2006

Emesis basins are just another surface for puke to hit. People puke, it hits the basin, bounces right out and everywhere else. If someone need to vomit, i get the tub out.

TaraGenX · Jan 1, 2006

I have to use an EKG machine on a DAILY basis that was made in 1973, 2 years before I was even born!!! This monstrosity is bigger than I am...

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 1, 2006

what's the most useless piece of equipment or stocked supply in your facility or on your unit?
what would you replace it with?
i thought of this thread when i was drawing up a 3 cc ns flush and thinking about how much easier and safer the pre-filled syringes are. so i wish we had pre-filled syringes.
and those emesis basins! have you ever known anyone to actually hit the thing without splashing or spraying all over the place? completely useless! how about some larger-sized (or disposable--even the baggie-type might work better) emesis basins!

i'm a big fan of the pre-filled syringes, but don't go banning emesis basins! while they're not much good for their intended use, they work fine for tooth brushing, for gathering of blood drawing supplies and carrying them to the bedside, for carrying bunches of meds from the pyxis to the bedside . . . you get my drift! i'd love to ban excess paperwork. in my icu, we have no less than 13 different "studies" going on, each requiring "just a few questions" filled out on a separate sheet of paper for every admission, transfer, line placement, etc. enough already!

TweetiePieRN · Jan 1, 2006

We use the prefilled syringes at my hospital!! LOVE THEM!!

As for outdated, useless, old things...How about getting rid of the brainchild behind the stupid slogans we are "forced" to say. "Call don't Fall!" to encourage people to use callbells to get help LOL! There are plenty more slogans that drive us nuts.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 1, 2006

While it rings true, if i have to hear "DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT, if you don't document, it didn't happen" one more time from a co-worker, i'll scream. She takes any and EVERY opportunity to say this!!

(So chuck her in the trash lol)

nan1993 · Jan 1, 2006

We have prefilled syringes and I love them. I also get a tub for a nauseated patient. I would like to remove the extra paper work we have and repeated charting in the multiple computers. Also we have "sheets" at the end of a shift that must be clear before we leave. A waste of paper.

amnesia · Jan 1, 2006

How about "safety" needles that you can use SAFELY without sticking yourself? :idea:

spidermonkey · Jan 2, 2006

:chuckle

galenight, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2006

our nurse manager calls the kidney shaped emesis basins "puke deflectors".. so true! Have prefilled syringes... love 'em to pieces.. worth the minimal extra cost (pharmacist said they are almost as cheap as the multi dose vials combined with needles and syringes.. especially when you take into account the cost of those safety needles... tell your facility to do a cost analysis.. bet ya get 'em right quick.

We have a fetal monitor that is older than the hills... I work in a small Er and we don't use it much, but it would be nice to have a user friendly one when we need one.

We also still have Cantor tubes on hand. Right along with that all time safe (NOT!) mercury.

And most importantly, we have an old outdated physician that so needs to go. :uhoh3:

ShayRN · Jan 2, 2006

I also love the prefilled syringes. I would like to see the 25 year old dopplers go. They are bulky and rarely work.

hipab4hands · Jan 2, 2006

We have an outdated computer system with software. From day 1, management has said that eventually all paperwork will done online. Seven years later, I'm still filling out paper work by hand and having to have a clerk fax it to the correct dept. or provider.