No Mess, No Odours
Zorbi Hygienic Bag Systems is the ideal human waste management solution, focusing on infection prevention with a lower environmental impact.
Infection control is more
challenging than ever
Human waste is one of the highest-risk vectors in healthcare
Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) cost Canadians $272M 1 annually with 17.1% 2 being linked to gastroenteritis.
patients get an HAI 3
of stool contains an average of 10⁹ bacteria 4
Norovirus, VRE, and C. Diff can survive on surfaces for up to 5 months 5
of nurses report stress from managing liquid human waste 6
Zorbi is the Clear Choice
A complete portfolio for all your needs
Zorbi hygienic bags are available in 4 formats, designed for a specific patient need.
Not all waste management methods are equal
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to human waste management. The right choice depends on your resources, requirements and infrastructure, while keeping patient safety at the centre. 9
| Feature | Zorbi Hygienic Bags | Bedpan Washer/Disinfector | Macerators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol steps | 7 | 10 | 9 |
| Risk of spilling | Low | High | Moderate |
| Risk of downtime | None | Likely | Possible |
| Time saving | Yes | No | Yes |
| Contamination risk | Low | High | Moderate |
| Capital cost | None | High | High |
| Sustainable | Yes — biodegradable / PCR | No | Partial |
Real-World Results
Safer “Pan Handling” at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
Persistent Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) outbreaks were directly linked to inadequate bedpan management, specifically high-risk practices like manual cleaning in patient sinks that caused widespread environmental contamination.
To eliminate this infection pathway, the facility implemented Zorbi hygienic bedpan liners as its primary intervention, effectively containing waste and stopping cross-contamination at the source. 7
It's in the Bag at Nova Scotia Health Authority
Ineffective human waste disposal created significant contamination risks, leading to an increase in HAIs, specifically Clostridioides difficile.
To replace the existing methods—which were time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to spreading pathogens—the facility implemented the Zorbi hygienic bag system for bedpan management to streamline waste disposal and protect against cross-contamination. 10
The Most Sustainable Bag Available
Zorbi hygienic bags uniquely combine comprehensive clinical waste management with a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.
Engineered with super-absorbent cellulose pulp pads, biodegradable and made of a 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. We give existing waste a second life therefore reducing carbon emissions by 41% compared to conventional alternatives.
The real-world impact is clear: in a standard 90-bed hospital using 43 kg of Zorbi bags annually, 39 kg fully decompose in a landfill within just 6 months, while traditional plastics persist for up to 450 years.
Hospitals & Long Term Care Facilities
Trusted across Canadian healthcare facilities. Zorbi’s hygienic bag system reduces HAI risk, simplifies staff protocol, and meets the standard that infection control teams demand.
FAQs
What is Zorbi?
Zorbi is a hygienic bag system for human waste management. Designed for acute care and long-term care facilities, it contains waste at the point of care, reducing HAI risk, simplifying protocol, and protecting staff and patients.
How does Zorbi reduce HAIs?
Bycontaining waste in a sealed hygienic bag at the point of care,Zorbi reduces the need to transport and reprocess soiled collection containers, the highest-risk step in conventional waste management. Clinical evidence shows an 83% reduction in VRE infection rates.
How does Zorbi compare to bedpan washers and macerators?
Zorbi requires 7 steps vs. 10 for a bedpan washer. It eliminates capital equipment costs, requires no plumbing or electrical infrastructure, and has no downtime risk. Clinical studies show 85% cost reduction vs. conventional methods.
Is Zorbi sustainable?
Yes. Zorbi offers two sustainable bag options: 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) bags and oxo-biodegradable bags (92% breakdown in 6 months). Pads are made from cellulose pulp. Carbon footprint is 41% lower than conventional plastic.
Sources
- 1: Diener, A., Wang, H., &Nkangu, M. Hospital and related resource costs associated with antimicrobial-resistant infections in Canada, 2019. Canada Communicable Disease Report. 2022;48(11–12):529–539.doi: 10.14745/ccdr.v48i1112a06.
- 2: Magill SS, et al. “Multistate Point-Prevalence Survey of Health Care–Associated Infections.”New England Journal of Medicine.2014;370:1198–1208.
- 3:Mitchell R,et al.Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program. Trends in health care-associated infections in acute care hospitals in Canada: an analysis of repeated point-prevalence surveys. CMAJ. 2019 Sep 9;191(36):E981-E988.
- 4: Otter,J. A.,Yezli, S., & French, G. L. The role played by contaminated surfaces in the transmission of nosocomial pathogens.Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. July 2011;32(7):687–699.
- 5: Kramer A, Schwebke I, Kampf G. How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A systematic review. BMC Infect Dis. 2006 Aug16;6:130.
- 6: Harris, D., Sturdivant, R., & Kannan, A. The reality of patient bodily waste management: Nurse perceptions of current practice & staff safety. 2024.
- 7: Vitale, E. Safer “Pan Handling” to Reduce the Rates of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci: Giving staff the right tools to safely and efficiently do their job.
- 8: Internal data.
- 9: Fraser Health Authority. (2024). Infection prevention and control clinical policy and procedures: Management of human waste. British Columbia Ministry of Health.
- 10: Sheppard, S. It’s in the bag! Improving human wastemanagement in an acute care setting. IPAC Canada National Education Conference, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada. June 19, 2017.