that uses only disposable gowns , drapes , and packs . Cost savings on products depend on effective linen management , quality of product purchased , and professional laundering .”
Examining Health and Safety Benefits in the Reusables / Disposables Comparison
While disposables have long been characterized as a better infection prevention option , patient safety organization ECRI issued a high-priority hazard alert cautioning U . S . healthcare organizations about disposable gowns made outside the United States or by non-traditional manufacturers .
An analysis by ECRI shows that more than 50 percent of the disposable isolation gowns it tested failed to meet standard levels of protection , putting healthcare workers at risk of exposure to bloodborne or other pathogens , as well as SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Researchers at ECRI found that 52 percent of gowns with unstated levels of protection failed to meet even the Association for the Advancement of
Hospitals have been ramping up their procurement of isolation gowns to protect workers from the novel coronavirus and we ’ re finding that many of the products they are buying simply do not meet basic protection standards .”
Medical Instrumentation ( AAMI )’ s lowest level for protection .
ECRI also tested gowns that claimed AAMI-level protection and found that 50 percent did not meet the AAMI PB70 standard , a system for the evaluation and classification of liquid barrier performance .
ECRI issued the alert to warn U . S . healthcare organizations about its safety concerns after evaluating 34 models of disposable gowns from suppliers outside America or from non-traditional suppliers . The evaluation was conducted according to rigorous product-testing protocols conducted by ECRI ’ s quality assurance experts at the organization ’ s independent medical device laboratory .
“ Hospitals have been ramping up their procurement of isolation gowns to protect workers from the novel coronavirus and we ’ re finding that many of the products they are buying simply do not meet basic protection standards ,” says Marcus Schabacker , MD , PhD , ECRI ’ s president and chief executive officer . “ Our research shows that you can ’ t judge the authenticity of the product based on its appearance , labeling , or packaging without product testing .”
After the pandemic began , healthcare providers across the nation struggled to procure personal protective equipment ( PPE ), including isolation gowns and N95 masks . Dire circumstances , supply chain shortages , and a lack of a centralized approach to dealing with the crisis forced healthcare systems in the United States to find alternative supply sources .
According to ECRI , many PPE products from non-traditional and international suppliers are unsafe and ineffective . In September , ECRI released its analysis of imported masks and found 70 percent of the Chinese KN95 respiratory masks it tested failed to meet U . S . standards .
Q &
Healthcare Textile Association
A Experts Share Perspectives
Healthcare Hygiene magazine invited representatives from healthcare laundry and textile associations to share their perspectives on key issues . Our experts are :
Gregory Gicewicz is a past-president and board member of the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council ( HLAC ) as well as president of Sterile Surgical Systems .
Nancy Jenkins is executive director of the American Reusable Textile Association ( ARTA ).
Joe Ricci is president and CEO of Textile Rental Services Association of America ( TRSA ).
HHM : In the age of SARS-CoV-2 and resistant organisms , what role do you see healthcare laundry and textiles playing in overall infection prevention and control efforts ?
Gregory Gicewicz : Textiles have a pivotal role in infection prevention and control , both with hospital patients and with hospital staff . This fact is underscored in the age of SARS-CoV-2 and resistant organisms . Healthcare textiles have constant contact with the human body ’ s largest organ – the skin . Therefore , pathogens found on healthcare textiles can infect immune compromised hospital patients resulting in sickness and even death . Likewise , hospital staff handling or wearing contaminated attire can also pass this contamination onto hospital patients . While documented cases of healthcare textiles infecting patients are rare , they have occurred . Another risk is incorrect chemistry or chemical residue from improperly laundered healthcare textiles . This can cause skin reactions in patients and hospital staff .
Nancy Jenkins : Healthcare textiles already play a significant role in infection prevention and control efforts . With the COVID-19 pandemic , it is critical that healthcare laundry processors educate clients about the care and safety precautions used to ensure clean linen is delivered 24 / 7 . Many laundry operators have wisely chosen to receive accreditation or certification that verifies that they are following the highest standards of processing for healthcare textiles . The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council ( HLAC ) and TRSA ’ s Hygienically Clean are two such
www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • march 2022
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