Sustainable healthcare
The future is not disposable Education and communication will be key in influencing behavioural change. As we have seen, misconceptions still exist regarding the performance of reusable surgical textiles versus disposable alternatives, and these must be challenged. To do this successfully, we must look at addressing the status-quo and examining cultures of practice. Some practitioners within the healthcare sector will often stick with what they are familiar with and do what they have always done. They may not always have the knowledge or understanding to question embedded working practices, so it is therefore essential to ensure they are fully informed about the products they are using. Doing so will help to ensure they are making the right choice for the planet, as well as for the safety of their patients. A collaborative approach will also be key. As well as the NHS working closely with suppliers, support from Government and industry bodies will play an important role in bringing about change for the better. In terms of perioperative textiles, for instance, the professional bodies that represent surgical organisations and individuals are well-placed to influence working practices and attitudes towards sustainability, and there needs to be greater dialogue between all parties to help facilitate this. Procurement teams also have a part to play in driving change, and there is certainly an argument for a more joined-up approach across the healthcare sector. While the linear economy model is very much focused on short-term procurement structures and quick-win savings, there is now an urgent need to adopt a more circular approach which takes into account longer-term efficiency and investment for the future of the planet. Is there a case for legislative change? In countries such as Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands, there is a tax on incineration, and it is likely other countries may adopt a similar approach going forward. In 2021, Italy also published a legally binding decree stating that reusable gowns – both Medical Devices or Devices for Individual Protection – should represent the first choice over single-use alternatives. With the global climate crisis worsening, there is a strong case for other nations to follow suit, and we would urge the UK Government to consider adopting a similar stance. Doing so would play a small but vital role in driving the transition to a circular economy, safeguarding the environment and protecting world resources for generations to come.
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References 1 Gruendemann B. ‘Taking Cover: Single-use vs Reusable Gowns and Drapes’, Infection Control Today, 2002;6:32-4
www.infectioncontroltoday. com/view/taking-cover
2 Janoff K. et al. ‘Foreign body reactions secondary to cellulose lint fibres’, American Journal of Surgery, 1984 May; 147(5):598-600
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6372527/
3 Kieser D. et al. ‘Does the type of surgical drape (disposable versus non-disposable) affect the risk of subsequent surgical site infection?’ J Orthop. 2018 June; 15(2):566-570 https://www.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990293/
4 Overcash M. ‘A comparison of reusable and disposable perioperative textiles: sustainability state-of-the-art 2012’ Anesth Analg. 2012 May; 114(5):1055-66
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/22492184/
5 Vozzola E. et al. ‘Environmental considerations in the selection of isolation gowns: A life cycle assessment of reusable and disposable alternatives’, Am J Infect Control. 2018 Aug; 46(8):881-886
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/29655666/#:~:text=Results%3A%20At%20 the%20healthcare%20facility,reduction%20 in%20solid%20waste%20generation.
6 Van den Berghe AJ. ‘Life cycle assessments of single versus multiple-use surgical gowns’
http://www.sustainabilityroadmap.org/ pims/pdfs/pim247_lifecycle_assessment_ disposable_versus_reusable.pdf
7 Jewell J. ‘Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Reusable vs Disposable Textiles’ https://
trsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/trsa- reusable-disposable-study.pdf
8 Rizan C. et al. ‘Environmental Impact of Personal Protective Equipment supplied to health and social care services in England in the first six months of the COVID-19
pandemic’, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine doi: 10.1177/01410768211001583
https://www.medrxiv.org/ content/10.1101/2020.09.21.20198911v1
9
https://mcusercontent.com/ aa2ab73f5abeaf7fa577a1399/files/a24a011d- da03-2b21-cb52-634c328e3eed/Life_Cycle_ Assessment_of_Elis_Reusable_Gowns_ Executive_Summary.pdf
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https://nhsproviders.org/news-blogs/blogs/ not-so-fantastic-plastic#:~:text=The%20 NHS%2C%20like%20the%20whole,hard%20 plastic%20of%20this%20waste.
About the author
Roberta Charlett is head of marketing for Elis UK. She joined the company – then called Guardian Surgical – in 2014, and the business was subsequently acquired by Elis in 2017. A leading international multi-service provider, Elis offers textile, hygiene and facilities management solutions throughout Europe and Latin America. With 400,000 customers worldwide, it has a presence in 28 countries, employing 45,000 professionals at 440 production plants and service centres.
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