Specifically , further research is needed to understand how public policy can incentivize sustainable PPE adoption and facilitate healthcare system transitions at scale . Research and deployment should engage all relevant stakeholders , including end users ( healthcare workers ), vendors , infection control , and linen services .”
competing products or services that serve the same purpose .” This comparison applies to raw materials , manufacturing , packaging , distribution , use , reuse , operation , maintenance , and disposal . The EPA developed five guiding principles to help federal agencies purchase environmentally preferable products . These broad guiding principles can be applied to the perioperative setting as well .
➐ Arrange a product trial . This is coordinated with the vendor and all departments that will participate in conducting the trial .
➑ Product selection . Once the trial is complete , the committee will evaluate the outcomes and determine the product of choice .
➒ Review and revisit changes after a clearly specified time to improve process . Collect input / feedback , positive and negative and review the information in committee meetings . Determine , in advance , how you will mitigate drawbacks and improve the process for success
The Path Forward
Baker , et al . ( 2020 ) advocate for increased funding for multidisciplinary , clinically translatable research on sustainable PPE practices . Though isolation gowns are among the better studied items of reusable PPE , shortages of masks and face shields must also be addressed . At present , there are only two groups in the U . S . that we are aware of who are actively pursuing research in this area , with one studying the efficacy , supply , environmental impact , and usage of reusable PPE and the other developing biocidal air filters for reusable PPE . Researchers outside of the U . S . are similarly investigating the feasibility and / or impacts of transitioning to reusable materials in light of pandemic-driven PPE shortages particularly as they related to readily accessible materials and ensuring reliability in the reusable PPE supply chain . While these individual examples are important , more dedicated research funding toward reusable PPE is needed to support prompt translation for healthcare systems during this urgent time . Specifically , further research is needed to understand how public policy can incentivize sustainable PPE adoption and facilitate healthcare system transitions at scale . Research and deployment should engage all relevant stakeholders , including end users ( healthcare workers ), vendors , infection control , and linen services .”
The researchers call for the rapid adoption of evidence-based sustainable PPE into clinical practice across the U . S ., explaining that “ This will require buy-in by hospital leaders , infection control , departmental advocates and supply chain ; as well as concurrent public policy to incentivize sustainable PPE . Our presented data on cost and safety , together with case studies from medical
Tackling “ Healthcare Personnel Attire ( HPA ), Laundry & Linen Management in a Post-COVID-19 Environment ” were ( L-R ) John Scherberger , Paul Pearce , and Lynne Sehulster . Photo courtesy of Aaron Jett
Sehulster reviewed the supply chain disruptions that plagued the last two years , reviewing how in early 2020 , many healthcare facilities ran out of disposable PPE garments as supplies from other countries became unavailable . In 2021 , supply chain disruptions continued , preventing ordered goods from reaching distribution centers and customers ( including laundry operators and healthcare facilities ).
Sehulster mentioned the need to pivot from disposable PPE and other items to reusables , and that healthcare laundries and linen services should increase collaboration with healthcare clients and continued to look for ways to minimize linen loss , increase accountability and communication . In general , hospitals that were already using reusable PPE gowns had fewer inventory shortages compared to hospitals that used single use-disposable ( SUD ) PPE , per data from the Association for Linen Management ( ALM )’ s “ Interim Guidance for Processing Single Use Gowns in Response to Product Shortages during COVID-19 .“
Sehulster reiterated the concerns about the current laundry process to inactivate and remove SARS-CoV-2 . She emphasized the need for professional laundries and linen providers to stay calm and carry on with proven science , reiterating the same message shared by Michael Bell , MD , deputy director of the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ): “ Professionally processed hygienically clean laundered HCTs healthcare textiles , pose negligible risk of infection for medically-competent patients in healthcare facilities .”
Sehulster also emphasized the data from Katie Laird , PhD , professor of microbiology at De Montfort University , and her research team confirming the laundry cycle ’ s microbial log reduction / inactivation for SARS-CoV-2 and that hot water temperatures and detergent are needed to inactivate and remove the virus from healthcare textiles that are soiled with organic matter . Domestic or home laundering would not suffice .
She then addressed the latest information relating to SARS- CoV-2 survival on fabric and the potential for virus transfer , citing Laird ’ s research that HCoV-OC43 , a human coronavirus like SARS-CoV-2 in structure , can survive and transfer to other surfaces , either porous or non-porous , as well as on the hands . Again , the concern is that healthcare textiles can serve as fomites to transmit COVID-19 in healthcare facilities or in homes if contaminated textiles are laundered at home .
Panel member Paul Pearce , PhD , microbiologist and founder of the Pearce Foundation for Scientific Endeavor , presented the talk , “ Exploring the Microbial Jungle - A Leader ’ s Guide to Understanding the Methods , Means and Equipment Available to Control Microbial Contaminants .” He emphasized that , “ The best leaders carry a mental map