In today’s world of medical and dental procedures, the focus is on the safe and easy disposal of bodily fluids. While the average person does not normally, or even want to, dwell on it, medical professionals and the industry as a whole, do spend time on considering this particular item. These are fluid collection bags. While they are not the topic of popular conversation, they are essential in order to maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety.
What Is a Fluid Collection Bag?
A fluid collection bag is a device that holds or contains bodily fluids. The traditional model consists of a bag with the following characteristics:
- an inlet opening
- an inlet tube
- an outlet opening
This allows them to easily collect and retain or drain various fluids.
Such bags are made from a variety of materials including various types of vinyl e.g. medical grade vinyl, latex free vinyl and DEHP free vinyl.
Requirements for a Fluid Collection Bag
The specific use of the fluid bag dictates many of its requirements. Aesthetics never enter into this functional medical tool. It must be, instead
- Leak proof
- Durable
- Hygienic – resistant to microbes and other potential sources of infection
- Puncture proof
- Resistant to chemicals commonly employed in a medical environment
- Reliable
- Accurate in displaying content and collection methods and deposition
- Efficient in its use for that specific treatment
- User friendly
- Lightweight
- Easy to store
Some are also disposable. Medical facilities, professionals and others who use them also want them to be inexpensive and an aid for saving time.
What Are the Uses of a Fluid Collection Bag?
As the name indicates, fluid collection bags collect and retain fluids. They may be bodily fluids or other materials used in various surgical procedures. This means their application is far from being narrow in the medical field. Among the many uses of such collection bags are the following:
- Collecting the irrigating fluid employed in extracapsular cataract surgery
- Blood shed during various operations
- Blood bleeding from a wound in operating
- Collection of bodily waste e.g. urine
- For bladder drainage
- Peritoneal fluid collection
- Pleural fluid collection
Some patients or recipients of such things as a colonoscopy bag may need a custom-made one.
Fluid Collection Bags
Over the years, medical technology and science have increased the awareness of potential health risks from bodily fluids. The application of sanitary and durable collecting devices has improved the ability of medical professions to operate in hygienic surroundings and reduce the instance of microbial infection from such fluids. Today, it is essential to have accessible a variety of different fluid collection bags to retain the potentially dangerous fluid while protecting health care providers and patients.
