Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2026

An Antimicrobial Fabric Using Nano-Herbal Encapsulation of Essential Oils
Published on: April 7, 2023
Sustainable PPE: is it possible to protect the patient and the planet?
1Associate Director for Infection Prevention and Control, University Hospitals Northamptonshire.
Abstract:
Healthcare systems are facing the dual challenge of maintaining high standards of infection prevention and control while also striving to reduce the environmental impact of health care. Personal protective equipment is one area of nursing where sustainable change can impact positively on both the patient and the planet, as glove over use is one of the biggest carbon hotspots in healthcare. This article explores studies that have implemented changes to gloves, aprons, isolation gowns, eye protection and masks successfully. Benefits have been far reaching and have impacted positively on staff satisfaction, staff protection, staff dermatitis, patient experience, financial savings and carbon savings, with no adverse impact on healthcare associated infections.
Related Concept Videos
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings I: Donning
Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...

