Funded project: A novel PPE gown – extending use and reducing waste
The project aims to extend the use of disposable medical gowns by evaluating and demonstrating the application of a coating that can prolong their usability in clinical settings. If successful, health workers may only require 3 to 4 gowns per shift.
Background
A collaborative effort between The University of Melbourne, Western Health, and Full Circle Fibres aims to address the significant issue of excessive disposable medical gown usage and disposal in Victoria. In a single shift, a nurse attending to patients with infectious diseases can easily go through 20 gowns, as mandated by infection prevention protocols.
The objective of this project is to extend the lifespan of both disposable and reusable gowns, thereby reducing the quantity of gowns required and minimising the volume of waste ending in incinerators or landfills after shredding and sanitization. The solution will ensure that healthcare workers receive an equivalent or superior level of protection while simultaneously mitigating the environmental impacts associated with gown waste.
The problem
The pandemic has brought to light the staggering amount of single-use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) utilised across various settings such as hospitals, aged and residential care facilities, allied health services, as well as testing and vaccination centres. It is important to note that the majority of single-use PPE, including all gowns, is imported from overseas.
The striking demand for PPE during such global health crisis highlighted the heavy reliance on imported supplies to meet the needs of healthcare providers and frontline workers. The reliance on overseas sources for critical PPE shows the vulnerability and potential disruptions in the supply chain.
The project
Procurement, use, and waste can be reduced by a conservative estimate of 20% through the extension of single-use gown usage with this novel solution. The project focuses on designing a solution that adopts an integrated approach for end-of-life of disposable gowns. The proposal presents an additional opportunity for sanitised gowns to be recycled within an existing polypropylene process.
Increased materials efficiency by procuring less
The goal is to optimize the utilisation of materials by adopting practices that reduce the overall amount of resources procured. This involves implementing efficient inventory management systems, minimizing waste during production processes, and exploring alternative materials that are more sustainable and resource-efficient.
Increased duration of product and material lifecycles
The aim is to extend the lifespan of products.
Reduced materials to landfill and other waste destinations
One of the primary objectives is to minimise the number of materials that end up in landfills or other waste disposal sites. This objective can be achieved through using less and the implementation of effective waste management strategies, including the establishment of recycling programs, the promotion of responsible consumer behavior, and the fostering of collaborations with recycling facilities or initiatives.
Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and pollution
The project is committed to mitigating the environmental impact by using less.
Project progress
| Key deliverables | Status |
|---|---|
| Test matrix, undertake desktop evaluation report, purchase materials for gown and trial equipment. | Complete |
| Complete tests, product gowns and evaluate coating performance through clinical trials. | Complete |
| Trial recycling and conduct cost and environmental Life Cycle Assessments. Prepare report on recycling trials and begin development of a business case. | In progress |
| Prepare evaluation report that demonstrates the methodology of the project, trials, and outcomes. The report will include all final data and will demonstrate alignment with the project targets. |
Challenges
There is a significant technical risk with the possibility that a single coating may not be universally successful in achieving the performance standards. The uncertainty poses a challenge as the team strives to find the optimal solution.
Furthermore, there remains a commercial risk in gaining acceptance of the coated gown by healthcare workers. It is not enough to have a technically clever solution. Overcoming this challenge requires effective communication and engagement strategies to ensure that healthcare workers understand the benefits and value of the coated gowns.
To mitigate these challenges and explore potential alternatives, the team is actively considering options such as extending the lifespan of disposable gowns or promoting the use of reusable alternatives. The aim is to reduce dependence on imported personal protective equipment (PPE) and foster a more sustainable and self-sufficient approach to meeting our healthcare needs.
Insights
Allowing sufficient time and establishing a realistic schedule for project startup activities, particularly the administrative tasks, is a valuable insight that can greatly contribute to the overall success of a project.
By recognising the importance of administrative tasks and allocating adequate time for their completion, the project team can prevent unnecessary delays and mitigate potential risks. The project highlights the need to prioritise the administrative tasks of project startup, as it lays the foundation for effective project execution.
The preliminary results from the ongoing microbial testing trials have yielded findings, suggesting a viable coating that has the potential to extend the use of single-use gowns. These preliminary findings mark a significant breakthrough in the field of single-use medical (PPE) and hold the promise of being truly game-changing.
Through rigorous testing and analysis, the coating has shown remarkable potential to enhance the longevity of single-use gowns, allowing them to be used for an extended period without compromising the safety and protection they provide to healthcare professionals.
From the grantee
“Sustainability just makes good business sense while reducing waste in all its’ forms, is a good place to start. We need to progress with designing for circularity at end of life with haste…”
