Sustainability
of individual departments to meet their own financial needs in procurement terms. However, it is often the hospital as a whole that pays for waste disposal costs. This disconnect means that operating
theatres can potentially overlook the true cost of surgical textiles. When you factor in cost per use and clinical waste disposal charges, disposables are not the most financially viable option, and this clearly highlights the need for departments, Trusts and the NHS as a whole to adopt a more joined up approach when it comes to tackling waste and reducing emissions. The LCA provided robust and quantitative
evidence that reusable products also perform significantly better than disposable alternatives in a number of other key areas, including: l Carbon footprint – up to 87% less l Energy consumption – up to 66% less l Water usage – up to 61% less
The results speak for themselves, but despite a growing awareness of the need to tackle waste and improve resource efficiency, there are still some healthcare professionals who favour disposable perioperative textiles. Often, this comes from an outdated view that they offer better hygiene and protection levels: this is simply not the case, yet many recent reviews fail to recognise the technological advances in fabrics and the introduction of EU standards for surgical textiles, instead continuing to focus on outdated studies to support the use of disposable fabrics over reusable alternatives.15 When reprocessed in Sterile Processing
Units (SPUs), studies show that today’s technically engineered reusable surgical textiles are just as effective as disposable alternatives in providing barrier protection,16 with stringent decontamination processes ensuring they offer an equivalent standard of protection throughout their lifecycle. Modern equipment and cleaning methods also mean that resource consumption during reprocessing is now extremely efficient. Stocks of disposable ‘push’ gowns are
already running out. Various sizing and types are now unavailable and others are coming to the end of their sterile shelf life, which could compromise patient and user safety. Continuity of supply is vital and, if they aren’t already doing so, operating departments and Trusts should be taking steps to ensure this is maintained to ensure an ongoing and sustainable supply of surgical gowns. If zero carbon emissions across the NHS are to be successfully achieved, then reusable products are the only viable option.
In the case of ‘push’ gowns, although these are being supplied at no cost to Trusts, it is important to remember that while they may be free at the point of use, they still come at a price in the form of clinical waste, associated disposal costs and the subsequent impact on the environment.
The journey to Net Zero Time is running out on the journey to Net Zero by 2045 and, with the odds stacked against disposable products, now is the time for Trusts and practitioners still using these to rethink their approach to surgical textiles. It may be too late to turn the clock back on procurement decisions taken during the pandemic, but
it’s not too late for damage limitation. Education and communication will be key in influencing behavioural change and addressing misconceptions regarding reusable versus disposable surgical textiles. Some practitioners will often stick with what
they are familiar with and do what they have always done. They may not necessarily have
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