Q A &
Gicewicz : Reusable healthcare textiles offer numerous advantages over disposable alternatives . In most cases reusables win from a value analysis perspective . Most single use healthcare textiles are manufactured overseas and have been plagued by quality issues and supply chain disruptions . Consequently , the availability and performance of these disposable items has become a chronic issue in healthcare settings . Reusables offer clear environmental advantages , superior performance , and more predictable availability . Their cost per use is typically far below single-use items and they support local jobs to reprocess in preferably accredited healthcare laundries . Conversely , disposable items are discarded in our landfills after one use and typically do not employ local workers in their reprocessing .
Jenkins : From a healthcare value analysis perspective , reusable textiles reduce costs , reduce carbon emissions , and provide enhanced comfort for users . Reduced costs are possible when choosing reusable textile products versus disposable ones , but even more significant are the costs saved by reducing waste stream . The EPA reports that 600 million tons of medical waste is generated each year . Facilities pay from 8 cents a pound to dispose of waste and up to 35 cents a pound for infectious or Red Bag waste . In addition , reusable textiles provide enhanced breathability and comfort ( regarding gowns and garments ). And most significantly , reusable textiles are the sustainable choice and result in a reduction of carbon emissions versus the production and use of disposable items . This has been proven through peer-reviewed life cycle assessments undertaken by Environment Clarity on isolation gowns , surgical gowns , surgical drapes and cleanroom coveralls . An LCA on incontinence pads is soon to be completed . Disposables , on the other hand , can provide convenience and typically require less storage space . Often , makers of disposable items may provide cash rebates along with discounts for the first six months . This is very enticing to purchasing departments , especially when the cost for waste is typically assigned to the overall facility and not to the department that generated the waste . The textile services industry in the U . S . says the percentage of reusables versus disposable items is typically 20 / 80 . There are times when disposable products make sense , and times when reusables are the best choice . It ’ s not an all or nothing proposition . With the pandemic , many facilities turned to reusables to ensure adequate supply of isolation and surgical gowns . Certainly , by increasing use of reusable textiles , healthcare facilities can reduce waste stream costs , secure carbon credits and help the environment .
Potack : Most clients utilize certain disposable products within the suite of healthcare products overall . One of the largest obstacles regarding a shift from disposable to reusable products is a fear of change . Reusable textiles provide enhanced comfort , long-term utility compared to a single use item , better environmental outcomes that single use items and overall cost savings through reduced usage . Single use products in certain cases are two times to four times the usage compared to reusable products and in terms of value analysis , this important nuance is sometimes missed when a cost comparison may only be looking at unit price vs unit price . Total program cost is the more applicable comparison .
Remillong : From a value analysis perspective , the benefits of disposables are : one supplier for many products , just-in-time ( JIT ) ordering and delivery , packaging , and leverage with the supplier . Increasing the total spend with a supplier can reduce the unit price on many different products and trigger rebates . But cost per use is a significant drawback : higher for disposables than reusables . Another drawback is environmental . Single-use products create landfill issues and carbon costs of production and supply . Reusables ’ value components are : one less product to deal with , don ’ t have to address supply issues , overall cost to hospital is less . The reusable product is hygienically clean . Is the disposable ? The only drawback may be the packaging and storage of a reusable product .
HHM What is your stance on the home laundering of healthcare personnel attire , and what are the infection control-related concerns ?
Gicewicz : Home laundering of healthcare personnel attire is not recommended as this practice carries numerous infection control-related risks . Most obviously , bringing healthcare personnel attire home means you are bringing home to family any pathogens that were picked up on your attire from the hospital . Proper laundering of healthcare textiles in an accredited facility requires following hundreds of standards in areas such as water temperatures and chemistry ; functional separation ; soil sorting ; textile protection ; textile drying ; textile storage ; textile transportation ; machine maintenance ; and more . Most homes do not have the capabilities to follow these standards . Therefore , there is a high likelihood that the personnel attire returning to the hospital may be contaminated and therefore pose a risk to healthcare workers and patients .
Potack : Home laundering equipment is not designed to achieve the recommended water temperature needed to activate detergent to achieve kill bacteria as a commercial laundry provider would . This is very concerning and poses an avoidable issue . Healthcare personnel attire should be processed by a commercial provider who is well-versed in the hygienically clean standard and has proper equipment to effectively implement processes consistent with the hygienically clean standard .
Remillong : Home laundering should not be an option for healthcare personnel . The science , and common sense , tells you that you do not get hygienically clean linen from your home laundry process . In addition to caring for patients in garments that are not hygienically clean , why would you want to take whatever pathogens you collected all day into your car and home ? Not to mention all the stops you may make on the way . The garments you wear in a hospital to treat patients should stay in the hospital and be sent to a hygienically clean-certified laundry for processing . It ’ s not worth the risk to the patient , wearer or family .