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Disposable versus reusable linen: back to the future
Hospital Materiel Management Quarterly
|January 8, 1993
Summary
Reusable linens now match disposable options in quality, impacting patient and staff safety. Re-evaluating the choice between reusable and disposable linens is recommended for healthcare facilities.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Materials Science in Healthcare
Background:
- Healthcare decisions on practices and technology require continuous reassessment.
- The choice between reusable and disposable linens has significant implications for patient and staff safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the decision-making process for healthcare linen choices.
- To consider the viability of reusable linens in light of recent advancements.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of current test results for the latest generation of reusable fabrics.
- Comparison of quality characteristics impacting patient and staff safety and health.
Main Results:
- Recent advancements have made reusable linens comparable to disposable options in critical quality characteristics.
- These characteristics directly influence patient and staff safety and health outcomes.
Conclusions:
- It is timely to reconsider the long-standing decision favoring disposable linens.
- The improved quality of modern reusable fabrics warrants a re-evaluation for future healthcare practices.