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Health News Specialty Care

Team Adds Palo

WhidbeyHealth is pleased to
welcome Gaila Palo
ARNP, to the
Residential Medications Disposal WhidbeyHealth
Specialty Care
The following guidelines apply to team for Wound
RESIDENTIAL wastes only. and Ostomy Care.
Palo has extensive
Even non-prescription medications experience
can be a danger to children and pets. working with
Store medications in a locked medicine patients with wounds
cabinet to prevent theft, abuse or accidental and ostomies at the
poisoning. It is important to dispose of University of Washington Hospital,
outdated or unwanted medications properly as well as Swedish Surgical services
to prevent accidental use, overdose or and Valley Medical Center. She
abuse by others who may have access to has worked for the past five years
them. as the WhidbeyHealth Clinical

Island County is designated a “single-source Nurse Specialist before her recent
aquifer” since most Island County residents advancement to this new role.
get their drinking water from wells (ground Palo joins Melinda Buchholz RN, WCC
water) and most homes are on septic to see patients both at the hospital
systems. To protect our source of ground and in the MAC Unit. The addition of
water, Whidbey Island residents are asked a nurse practitioner will streamline
not to dispose of medications down any sink, our already great specialty care,
toilet or drain to prevent pollution of the since Palo will bring more advanced
Puget sound, surface or ground waters. techniques of wound care and will
order and coordinate referrals to
Disposal of Non-prescription/ Prescription Medications other medical resources.
Over-the-counter Medications
• Contact area pharmacies about disposal After a patient is referred, they will
• Remove medication from original or drug take back availability. meet with Palo for a full assessment
container to a sealable plastic bag or • Contact the Island County Sheriff for of the wound and establish a plan of
other container with a sealable lid. the next DEA sponsored prescription
• If the medication is solid (tablet, drug collection event: 360.679.7310, care. Subsequent visits will be shared
with the rest of the team, including
capsule, suppository, etc.) mix with 360.321.5111 ext. 7310, or 360.629.4505
water or soda to partially dissolve it. ext. 7310. certified wound care nurses, an
Do not crush! Crushing can expose • The City of Oak Harbor Police ostomy nurse and other staff. Palo
you to dangerous levels of the Department accepts prescription will collaborate with both Buchholz
medication. medications (in pill form only) for and Michelle Beesley RN, BSN on
• With this mixture, or if you have a disposal year round. Call 360.279.9567 patients’ care, similar to practices at
liquid drug, add kitty litter, sawdust, for more information. wound care clinics throughout the
coffee grounds, etc. to help absorb • Note: Pharmacies and law enforcement Puget Sound area. Palo will begin
the fluid and make it less appealing officials are the only people authorized seeing patients in early October.
to children and pets. to accept unused, controlled
• Seal the plastic bag or container substances. Hospitals and physician
with packing or duct tape and put it offices cannot legally accept unwanted
in the trash. medication.
To Learn More
Mercury Thermometers: Free disposal. Secure to prevent breakage and deliver Wound Care
to any county solid waste facility through the HHW program. the MAC Unit
Thank you for properly disposing of sharps and unwanted medications. 360.678.7624 • 360.321.5173