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Common Canister....what do you think?

Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞ 2012/08/01 15:28:51
Related Topics: Gross, Home, Safe
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There is a process in SOME hospitals called "common canister". This allows inhalers such as Albuteral, provental and or Advair to be used by say yourself, then cleaned with an alcohol wipe then re-dispensed to ANOTHER person (patient). This keeps the hopsital costs of "equipment" down. Your insurance is then charged per puff of the medication not per inhaler. These hospitals DO dispense a spacer with said inhaler and of course you are charged for this spacer and are welcome to take the spacer home with you when you leave.
Yes the spacer is a one way valve spacer. ....
i have posted the links or do the research yourself.
Do you think this is safe? Would you use someone elses inhaler from a HOSPITAL? Cleaned with a disinfected wipe or alcohol wipe?

There are several hosptials who have adapted this practice. The only way to know is to ask.
I dont feel comfortable using an inhaler used by a tuberculosis patient.
http://www.aarc.org/members_area/aarc_times/10.09/10.09.046.pdf
+2
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  • kitkat42 2012/08/03 02:15:48
    No, thats just gross.
    kitkat42
    +1
    Any time I've been in hospital, mine are labeled and stay in the room.
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... kitkat42 2012/08/03 14:57:41
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    Ususally thats what happens to mine as well. I went to diffent hosptial this past week cause it was closer to home. I was having chest pains. So they took me to closet one. Not my normal hosptial. Thats where i found out about this common canister stuff. How i found out is when i was discharged from hospital i asked for my inhaler to take with me...The RN said i couldnt have it. I asked why not? She told me they clean off the inhaler with alcohol and reuse it on other patients. I call her supervisor when i got home and found this to be a very very true. At first i didnt belive her. I thought possibly she was taking it herself, or who knows what. Nope it was true. AND your insurance company is charged per puff. Not per unit of inhaler. This saves the cost to the HOSPTIAL of the inhalers.
    On my insurance a inhaler costs 40 bucks. And mind you i work for a hosptial.....(not that one)
    reply
  • kitkat42 Beck∞♥☮... 2012/08/04 00:56:08
    kitkat42
    +1
    Not sure I believe the hospital claim that they only charge "per puff", it doesn't pass my logic test. I'm all for saving money, but I don't think this is a sensible one Most asthmatics or COPD patients use the inhalers regularly so why share with anyone else. JMHO
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... kitkat42 2012/08/05 14:09:35
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    That was my question to the RN manager when i called the hospital. She claims this is common practice in most hospitals. (not in mine i replied) and i waiting for my care plan from my insurance company to see if was charged "per puff" to see the comparision from being in the hospital there or the one i ususally goto. I did call board of pharmacy as well, and JACO....no response from either of them as of yet.
    reply
  • kitkat42 Beck∞♥☮... 2012/08/06 01:04:49
    kitkat42
    +1
    I'd be curious to hear the answer. Let us know if/when you hear back. thx.
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... kitkat42 2012/08/06 17:45:46
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    I promise i will. My pharmacy manager had never heard of such things either.
    reply
  • Kashee 2012/08/02 20:54:30
    No, thats just gross.
    Kashee
    +2
    I don't feel comfortable with that. I don't want to use an inhalant that someone else has used even if it has been sterilized.
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... Kashee 2012/08/02 20:56:26
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    I agree kashee....its common practice im learning. I think its gross and uncalled for.
    reply
  • MJ 2012/08/02 20:00:23
    No, thats just gross.
    MJ
    +1
    I see risk and reward!
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... MJ 2012/08/02 20:10:37
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    I do too. But where do you draw the line with the reward to avoid the risk? They charge per puff not unit of whole inhaler. i still dont like it at all. And if you bring your own...they take it from you!! lol. bs i think
    reply
  • unclepat 2012/08/01 20:03:29
    No, thats just gross.
    unclepat
    +3
    Let's just say I have some slight issues with using ANY previously used item in a HOSPITAL!!
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... unclepat 2012/08/01 20:34:48
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    I agree totally unclepat! The only way to know is to ask IF you are ever hosptialized as well....
    reply
  • bags the Indigenous Guru 2012/08/01 15:53:07 (edited)
    Yes i would, nothing wrong with it, keeps my cost and hosptial cost down.
    bags the Indigenous Guru
    +1
    So many times, when my doc has changed my meds (once again) and I'm left with a full script of pills/inhalers/etc. that I have NO use for, I've wished for a program like this. My cheapest inhaler is like $50....tell me some family couldn't use one for free as a rescue inhaler for their child/granny/selves. If it's been sterilized to medical levels I say it could be a Godsend.
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... bags th... 2012/08/01 16:04:30
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    There is a program around the US bags called Wings of Hope. they accept un-used items, meds and what not to be sent to ppl with no money here in the US. Cancer patients ect. Wings of Hope just won a noble peace prize this year. We send ALOT of stuff to them. Im talking about IN the hosptial. When the doctor ORDERS your meds there, such as an inhaler. You use it while you are there and so does other people, say someone with tuberculosis or pneumonia. Then its reused again by how ever many pts can use this inhaler till its gone.
    reply
  • bags th... Beck∞♥☮... 2012/08/01 16:06:53
    bags the Indigenous Guru
    +1
    Oh, beck, thank you! I have some now, within age guides that I'll send off to them I'll cll the local hospital and drop them off this afternoon. Bless you!
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... bags th... 2012/08/01 16:47:04
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    http://www.wings-of-hope.org/

    here is the home page for wings of hope.....you can call them, They will come to your home and pick the meds, equipment and what not up from you....There should be a local one near you somewhere.
    reply
  • bags th... Beck∞♥☮... 2012/08/01 16:49:08
    bags the Indigenous Guru
    +1
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... bags th... 2012/08/01 16:51:03
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    +1
    im sorry i couldnt see the media, but thank you.
    reply
  • Sister Jean 2012/08/01 15:36:53
    No, thats just gross.
    Sister Jean
    +4
    mine have had my name on them and they leave hospital with me
    reply
  • Beck∞♥☮... Sister ... 2012/08/01 15:44:37
    Beck∞♥☮♫♫♫∞
    Thats what ususally happens with me as well Sister. At least at the hosptial i work for. I couldnt goto my home hosptial cause of the distance it was from my house and with me having heart issues they want you to goto the nearest hosptial. The nearest one is where i learned of this...and was grossed out and taken back big time.
    reply
  • Sister ... Beck∞♥☮... 2012/08/01 15:48:05
    Sister Jean
    +1
    I would report it to board of health
    reply

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