Reduce--recycle--reuse: guidelines for promoting perioperative waste management

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THE PERIOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT generates large amounts of waste, which negatively affects local and global ecosystems.

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TO MANAGE THIS WASTE, health care facility leaders must focus on identifying correctable issues, work with relevant stakeholders to promote solutions, and adopt systematic procedural changes.

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NURSES AND MANAGERS can moderate negative environmental effects by promoting reduction, recycling, and reuse of materials in the perioperative setting. AORN J 85 (April 2007) 717-728.

     

Atraumatic rupture of the spleen in periarteritis nodosa

A case of atraumatic rupture of the spleen is described. The underlying disease was found to be periarteritis nodosa. Involvement of the spleen is common in this disease, but to our knowledge atraumatic rupture of this organ in a patient with histologic verified periarteritis nodosa has not previously been reported. In the present case the splenic rupture was the incident which led to the diagnosis. A possible mechanism of the rupture is proposed.