How have you helped save your unit money?

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Hello Nurses! I'm doing my final preceptorship in ENT surgery and have to assemble a unit project. My topic includes ways to save units money, being economical and 'earth friendly'. If anyone has any suggestions or anecdotes that they have implemented on their units, I would love to hear from you! Thanks :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

You're in surgery, so I don't know if this applies in your area. I've heard of a large bucket being put in the break room for nurses to empty their pockets before leaving the shift.

I don't know about you, but I have no use for alcohol wipes, telemetry pads, tubing labels, and saline flushes at home. ;)

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Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.
You're in surgery, so I don't know if this applies in your area. I've heard of a large bucket being put in the break room for nurses to empty their pockets before leaving the shift.

I don't know about you, but I have no use for alcohol wipes, telemetry pads, tubing labels, and saline flushes at home. ;)

Never heard of the bucket idea but that's a good one. I realized I was being wasteful when my garbage can at home would be full of alcohol pads and saline flushes. I decided to make a serious effort to stop being wasteful. If I forgot and took anything home in my pockets I would I would put it in a bag and take it work with me on my next shift to use it.:D

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, PACU,SICU.

We recycle SCD's

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Specializes in CMSRN.

The nurses I work with have a habit of charging a ton of stuff for every admit. I try to wait for the pt to come up to see exactly what they need.

A pitcher should not be charged for a NPO pt for example. Or a urinal for a man that uses the bathroom and no I/O's to be done.

There are also the scheduled surgery pt's who bring alot of their toiletries with them. No need to charge toothbrush, toothpaster, etc.

Also when starting an IV, many nurses will bring multiple gauges with them just in case. They also have a habit of not returning the unused caths. They end being left in the room and thrown away.

I love the bucket idea. As long as the nurses are not disciplined for not putting them away. And someone is willing to do so.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.
We recycle SCD's

That sounds gross, sweaty SCD's from pt one is now on me.. I don't know how long they are left on but man those things get stinky quick.

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Specializes in LDRP, Medical, Surgical, Pediatrics.

Reusing SCD's, I believe that is a safety issue and joint commission would probably have a hey day with that one.

I always make sure lights are out and air is turned off in all empty rooms.

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Specializes in Home Health.

med Surg unit had multiple copies of same labs auto printing. Got that changed and saved money on paper.

Making sure cardboard boxes are broken down before placing in the trash so as to reduce number of trash empties.

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I give report quickly and efficiently and promptly clock out. I don't stay for hours "charting" while I milk the clock. That way the unit can use that money for staff when they really need it or for education money.

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Wash my hands over and over and over before and after seeing a patient, that saves billions of dollars :)

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Specializes in Developmental Disabilites,.

I refrain myself from throwing the computers when they freeze up 3/4s the way into an admission assessment. Over the years that really adds up.

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Thanks all for your suggestions. Any more? Keep them coming :)

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