Over the last several years, there has been a continued shift from reusable isolation gowns to disposable ones, but due to the current crisis, healthcare facilities should consider implementing a more diversified supply chain strategy in the future, by moving to a hybrid program that uses a combination of disposable and reusable isolation gowns.
Although single-use disposable isolation gowns use to be the norm, many hospitals are realizing reusable gowns present an easy way to save money and reduce waste. Reusable isolation gowns can reduce costs as much as 25%- 50% and reduce medical waste as much as 80%. In addition, because disposable, single-use isolation gowns are 25%- 50% more than the cost to purchase a reusable gown, hospitals can realize significant savings through a reusables program. This does not consider the annual disposal costs and environmental impact disposable isolation gowns.
It’s important to note that while both reusable and disposable isolation gowns provide equivalent levels of protection, the median lifespan of a reusable isolation gown is approximately 64 washes, our AAMI Level 2 Reusable gowns have been tested for 75+ washes. Whereas disposable isolation gowns are single use items. Reusable gowns are typically made from woven polyester fabric, while disposables are made from a nonwoven polypropylene fabric.
As hospitals and other healthcare facilities face innumerable financial and regulatory challenges, the ability to improve their environmental footprint absent a large capital expenditure is attractive. Reusable textiles make possible a greener, more cost-effective organization.
Level 1: Minimal risk, to be used, for example, during basic care, standard isolation, cover gown for visitors, or in a standard medical unit
Level 2: Low risk, to be used, for example, during blood draw, suturing, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or a pathology lab
Level 3: Moderate risk, to be used, for example, during arterial blood draw, inserting an Intravenous (IV) line, in the Emergency Room, or for trauma cases
Level 4: High risk, to be used, for example, during long, fluid intense procedures, surgery, when pathogen resistance is needed, or infectious diseases are suspected (non-airborne)
CDC: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/medical-gowns
Check out reusable and disposable isolation gowns in stock today: Isolation Gowns.