COVER STORY
Combining comfort, quality and sustainability
A recent survey by Tecman has revealed that NHS healthcare workers are concerned about the environmental impact of PPE. However, the company is making strides to tackle the issue, while protecting staff on the front line.
PPE is vital to keeping healthcare workers safe, but it often comes with a heavy environmental price tag. To challenge this dichotomy Tecman focused on a new, more sustainable alternative that provides quality, effective PPE using less plastic and reducing overall carbon footprint in our supply chain. #PlasticFreeJuly caused us in manufacturing to pause for thought. It isn’t feasible to ditch plastic completely. However, we can find opportunities to innovate in product design, production methods and packaging choices to use less plastic. Tecman recently launched Optec™, a reusable face shield system that uses high performance biomaterial technology made from sustainably forested trees. This biomaterial product, which is indistinguishable from regular plastic, reduced plastic use by 90% helping to produce a more sustainable PPE option. The company’s focus on sustainability
resonates with healthcare professionals across the board. Results from Tecman’s recent survey showed 90% of the 156 primary and secondary care clinicians surveyed communicated growing concerns about the environmental impact of PPE. Participants also raised issues with the many challenges faced by healthcare workers when using PPE, such as uncomfortable or ill-fitting items, and fogging of eyewear. User feedback is a critical component of the company’s design process and it is committed to working with frontline workers to understand what is important to them. By regularly consulting NHS healthcare workers and running clinical trials, Tecman is able to incorporate user feedback into the ongoing innovation and development of its products to ensure they provide optimum user experience.
During the Optec design phase, comfort was prioritised for every aspect of the
AUGUS T 2 0 2 1 THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL
HOSPITAL EFFICIENCY
Theatre optimisation to tackle the backlog Using day surgery to recover elective surgery Gaining efficiencies in digestive disease diagnostics
WWW.CL INICAL SERVICE S JOURNAL .COM
product. Frontline workers are less effective if they are uncomfortable, which is why a super soft non-absorbent closed cell foam padding is used, which conforms to the contours of the forehead to improve comfort and prevent pressure sores. The soft yet durable adjustable silicone strap provides a secure fit, reducing movement and slipping during wear time. Tecman has also separated the Optec™ system into two parts, the headband option and screen option, giving clinicians choices that work best for their environment.
Optec™ Reusable Face Shield Components 58 l
WWW.CLINICALSERVICESJOURNAL.COM
By manufacturing Optec in a component system, the company is able to pack each unit more compactly, reducing packaging waste by over 50% compared to other alternatives. This compact storage cuts shipping weight by 80%, reducing transportation emissions and providing hospitals with easy-to-store and assemble products. In addition, Tecman’s biomaterial and impact-resistant screens can be re-used and cleaned up to 10 times using Clinell® wipes and the headband can be cleaned indefinitely. This innovative feature improves organisational sustainability with the same level of user protection afforded by single-use alternatives, and fits around existing cleaning procedures within the NHS, avoiding disruption or new equipment outlay. There is often the perception that a more efficient, sustainable product comes
AUGUST 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
