Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
Propofol Disposal in the Anesthesia Setting: Overcoming Barriers
Danelle Schneider1, Julie Ponto2, Erin Martin3
1is a staff CRNA at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, working in various areas of anesthesia services, including pediatric and adult populations, both in the operating rooms and outlying areas across the Mayo Clinic Campus. The manuscript was part of the DNP scholarship project for the DNP program at Winona State University, Rochester, Minnesota.
Improper propofol disposal poses risks. Implementing specialized bottle openers and activated carbon pouches reduced unemptied propofol vials in unsecured bins by over 22%, enhancing safety in anesthesia practices.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Environmental Health
- Healthcare Waste Management
Background:
- Propofol is frequently abused by anesthesia providers, accounting for 41% of reported cases.
- Current healthcare practices lack guidelines for safe propofol disposal, leading to environmental, economic, and diversion concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate an evidence-based practice intervention for safe propofol disposal in a large teaching institution.
- To address barriers identified by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) regarding propofol disposal.
Main Methods:
- An evidence-based practice project was conducted in a Midwestern teaching institution.
- Interventions included providing specialized bottle openers and activated carbon pouches for propofol disposal.
- Data on propofol waste and CRNA surveys were collected before and after intervention.
Main Results:
- CRNAs reported limited sink access, environmental concerns, and difficulty opening propofol vials.
- The intervention significantly decreased unemptied propofol vials in unsecured bins from 25.8% to 3.4% (P < .0001).
- This indicates a successful practice change in propofol disposal.
Conclusions:
- Tailored interventions effectively addressed barriers to propofol disposal among CRNAs.
- Implementing accessible disposal methods reduces opportunities for diversion and enhances practice safety.
- This project demonstrates an effective strategy for improving pharmaceutical waste management in healthcare settings.
Related Concept Videos
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Organ Perfusion Rate
Perfusion rate-limited distribution relies on the...
One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: General Considerations
The drug's presence in the body is defined by an equation representing the difference between the rates of drug entry and exit. Key parameters—elimination rate constant,...
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

