How have you helped save your unit money?

Hello Nurses! I'm doing my final preceptorship in ENT surgery and have to assemble a unit project. My topic includes ways to save units money, being economical and 'earth friendly'. If anyone has any suggestions or anecdotes that they have implemented on their units, I would love to hear from you! Thanks
You're in surgery, so I don't know if this applies in your area. I've heard of a large bucket being put in the break room for nurses to empty their pockets before leaving the shift. I don't know about you, but I have no use for alcohol wipes, telemetry pads, tubing labels, and saline flushes at home.

Quote from dudette10You're in surgery, so I don't know if this applies in your area. I've heard of a large bucket being put in the break room for nurses to empty their pockets before leaving the shift. I don't know about you, but I have no use for alcohol wipes, telemetry pads, tubing labels, and saline flushes at home.

We recycle SCD's

The nurses I work with have a habit of charging a ton of stuff for every admit. I try to wait for the pt to come up to see exactly what they need. A pitcher should not be charged for a NPO pt for example. Or a urinal for a man that uses the bathroom and no I/O's to be done. There are also the scheduled surgery pt's who bring alot of their toiletries with them. No need to charge toothbrush, toothpaster, etc. Also when starting an IV, many nurses will bring multiple gauges with them just in case. They also have a habit of not returning the unused caths. They end being left in the room and thrown away. I love the bucket idea. As long as the nurses are not disciplined for not putting them away. And someone is willing to do so.

Quote from DutchRN09We recycle SCD's

Reusing SCD's, I believe that is a safety issue and joint commission would probably have a hey day with that one. I always make sure lights are out and air is turned off in all empty rooms.

med Surg unit had multiple copies of same labs auto printing. Got that changed and saved money on paper.Making sure cardboard boxes are broken down before placing in the trash so as to reduce number of trash empties.

I give report quickly and efficiently and promptly clock out. I don't stay for hours "charting" while I milk the clock. That way the unit can use that money for staff when they really need it or for education money.

Wash my hands over and over and over before and after seeing a patient, that saves billions of dollars

I refrain myself from throwing the computers when they freeze up 3/4s the way into an admission assessment. Over the years that really adds up.

Thanks all for your suggestions. Any more? Keep them coming