How to Recycle Pulse Oximeter Probes

Once in place, a recycling program for pulse oximeter probes can be helpful in reducing the waste a hospital facility outputs. Setting up a recycling program for these products can be slightly more challenging and requires planning and research than other waste disposal. Pulse oximeter probes are used by hospitals to measure a patient's hemoglobin by placing a non-invasive probe on his finger. The probe measures the patient's heartbeat and heart rate to alert hospital staff of problems before they develop.

Things You'll Need

• Recycling boxes (with small holes on top)

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Instructions

• 1

  Contact recycling centers in your area to find out if they take pulse oximeter probes. There are also specialized recycling centers in many areas that work directly with hospitals to take their used equipment. Contact other hospitals in your area to find out if they work with any of these centers for recycling purposes.

• 2

  Speak with the staff about the possibility of implementing a pulse oximeter recycling program once a recycling facility has been located. Get permission from the head nurse or the hospital administration before proceeding further.

• 3

  Place recycling boxes in areas that are convenient when using pulse oximeter probes. The boxes generally have small holes on top so that the materials within them do not contaminate another person or object.

• 4

  Tell the people in the hospital who use pulse oximeter probes about the locations of the recycling boxes. Ask them if they would be willing to begin using them instead of throwing the oximeters in the trash.

• 5

  Schedule a collection time with the recycling company when they will come and pick the boxes up.