PPE Sector Supports Focus on Circularity in Healthcare

COVID-19 has led to a worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line workers at healthcare operations (HCO). Supply chains throughout the world were enforced to make the highest quality PPE at rapid speeds. Raw materials became scarce and production capacity filled within weeks. Most of the world uses single-use PPE and disposable inventory and raw materials were consumed first, but many hospital systems around the world started using reusable PPE,  including isolation gowns and barrier lab coats.

Consequently, industrial laundries gained increased demand. Healthcare providers want to keep patients, healthcare employees and their families safe by stopping employees to bring their contaminated scrubs home to be laundered and not hygienically cleaned. Now that the pandemic slows down, laundry and linen services will have to convince healthcare facilities of the benefits of reusable PPE and the necessity of maintain their services.

It is generally expected that nursing and supply chain leaders will develop a model that provides staff safety and best financial practice. Apart from that, hospitals and long-term care facilities will implement hybrid solutions to have adequate stock levels to protect staff and patients during emergencies. However, the importance of reusable textiles will have to stay in focus and the PTC industry can play a vital role in that awareness!