The University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s recent replacement of ‘traditional’ bedpan washing at University College Hospital (UCH) with the Vernacare hygienic human waste disposal system is helping to improve infection prevention standards, free up nurses’ time, and improve environmental performance.
The Trust has installed 70 Vortex pulp disposal units across all hospital wards, replacing plastic receptacles with Vernacare single-use solution urinals, bedpans, and washbowls. After each use, a disposal unit breaks them down into a fine watery slurry, before discharging to drain.
John Swanson, senior infection control nurse, said: “We introduced Vernacare’s disposal system because it is a best practice infection control method. It is a key element in our Trust-wide C. difficile reduction campaign. Nursing staff’s response has been extremely positive. It’s far quicker and more hygienic than our previous bedpan washer system.”
