Elis - The Thread Issue 1 Summer 2024 - Flipbook - Page 26
17 Surgical
25
If your department is still using disposable
products, here are just some of the reasons why
you should consider making the switch:
Lower cost per use
Quality and performance
When awarding contracts and choosing between
disposable and reusable surgical gowns, it is
important not to take cost at face value. Initially,
disposable items may seem like a more costeffective option as there is no need for investment
in laundry processes. However, there are additional
costs associated with single-use items, including
clinical waste disposal charges.
As stated by guidance from the British Orthopaedic
Association, “Drapes and gowns must be made
of impervious material. Thin cotton drapes and
gowns have no place in orthopaedic surgery.”
While reusable gowns generally have a higher
upfront cost, it is important to consider that they
can be worn and laundered up to 75 times without
compromising protection levels, meaning the cost
per use decreases with each subsequent wear as
the initial investment is spread out over multiple uses.
Environmental benefits
In 2021, the NHS was the world’s first health system
to set out ambitious plans to achieve net zero
carbon by 2040 for direct emissions and net zero
carbon by 2045 for supply chain emissions.
With 62% of indirect emissions based within the
NHS’s global supply chain, companies who supply
goods and services to the organisation will play
a vital role in helping the NHS achieve its targets.
Choosing products and suppliers aligned with
NHS sustainability objectives is therefore becoming
ever more critical as time runs out on the journey
to net zero.
Reusable surgical textiles offer significant
sustainability benefits over the linear nature
of disposable counterparts, which are
manufactured, used once and then discarded.
A service-based reusable system aims to extend
the life of the products and keep materials in use
for as long as practically possible while ensuring
they maintain optimum levels of protection for
wearers and their patients. This is reinforced by
work to repair, refurbish or recycle products at the
end of their lifecycle, helping to reduce emissions
generated and lower the carbon footprint of
healthcare organisations who choose to reuse.
THE THREAD
Historically, reusable surgical gowns were
made using materials now considered obsolete
in their manufacture, such as woven cotton
or polyester, cellulose fibres, muslin and pulp.
This is no longer the case, but myths surrounding
the efficacy of today’s reusable surgical textiles
are still perpetuating as a result. However, products
available on the market today offer a viable and
robust alternative to disposable equivalents.
European standard EN 13795 sets out a number
of requirements and testing methods relating to the
performance of surgical textiles, including aspects
such as liquid penetration, microbial penetration
and linting (particle release), providing confidence
for users that all products approved to this standard
have been subject to rigorous assessments to ensure
they meet the relevant criteria.
Continuity of supply
Unlike disposable products, which are pre-ordered
according to requirements, reusable gown services
provide the added benefit of flexibility. This gives
customers the ability to easily adjust product
volumes, sizes and delivery frequencies depending
on their changing needs. More frequent deliveries
of reusable gowns also means less storage space
is required on site.
Using an approved reusable gown service provider
also provides reassurance of continuity of supply at
all times, with reputable suppliers having contingency
planning in place to ensure that product demand
can be met, even in exceptional circumstances.
If your Trust or department is still using
disposable surgical textiles, contact us today
to book a free trial of our reusable products:
uk-surgical.marketing@elis.com