Aug 25 2010
GE Healthcare is proud to announce that +PLUSPAK (polymer bottle) packaging is now included in the company's ecomagination(SM) campaign.
+PLUSPAK, an innovative packaging container for contrast media, offers significant advantages over traditional glass packaging including reduced storage, improved workplace safety for healthcare workers who administer contrast media to patients, and decreased cost of waste disposal.
Radiology departments using the innovative GE Healthcare +PLUSPAK packaging can reduce contrast media red bag waste weight by more than 75 percent. +PLUSPAK features a metal-free, twist-off cap that is easy to open and avoids cuts from metal crimps. +PLUSPAK is made of unbreakable polypropylene, which eliminates danger of glass breakage and undesirable outcomes that can occur with resulting shards of glass.
A survey conducted by the College of Radiographers showed that by replacing traditional contrast media glass packaging with GE Healthcare's +PLUSPAK, a department of 24 radiographers could eliminate sharps wounds associated with glass packaging. The same survey showed that the department could improve productivity by saving approximately 3.5 hours a month typically spent treating sharps injuries while also reducing the associated risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission.
"This innovative product aligns with our commitment to workplace safety, as well as reducing environmental impact," said Craig Small, Senior Brand Manager, X-ray Products, GE Healthcare Medical Diagnostics. "We are very proud to offer +PLUSPAK to our customers and excited about the development of future products that will enhance workplace safety and be environmentally friendly. Because of these features, +PLUSPAK has been appointed the prestigious status of being a GE Healthcare-approved ecomagination product."
+PLUSPAK packaging dovetails with the GE's ecomagination criteria for improving workplace safety and convenience. +PLUSPAK packaging offers significant timesaving, cost-saving and environmental advantages over the glass packaging traditionally used to package contrast media.
All GE Healthcare iodinated and MRI contrast media products are available in +PLUSPAK packaging.
Going Green and ecomagination(SM)
A radiology department using +PLUSPAK can shrink the weight of its contrast media medical waste by more than 75%. According to an analysis conducted by GE Healthcare, hospitals purchasing more than 54,000 bottles of contrast media per year could reduce annual contrast media medical waste by 3,800 pounds using GE Healthcare's +PLUSPAK instead of comparable glass packaging.