Title : Comparison of the ecological footprint of disposable versus reusable gowns in protecting healthcare providers and patients against the transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Abstract:
The healthcare sector has undergone significant transformation since the events of 2019, which marked the beginning of a major health crisis requiring substantial shifts in policies and practices. In response to increased concerns about the safety of healthcare workers, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially single-use items such as disposable gowns, soared. However, this increase raised important questions about the environmental impact of such practices and their potential effects on public health.
This study explores the ecological footprint and health consequences of using disposable versus reusable gowns in the emergency department of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval (Canada). Using a thorough life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, the study identifies key ecological challenges at each stage of gown production, use, and disposal. The findings indicate that reusable gowns present lower environmental impacts than disposable ones. Specifically, reusable gowns provide significant advantages, with 48 times lower human health impacts, nine times less pollution, and six times more favorable outcomes in terms of fossil resource conservation, highlighting the potential benefits of reusing gowns in healthcare settings.
However, the analysis also revealed that transitioning to reusable gowns requires careful attention to laundry management and operational decisions. While the manufacturing and disposal stages of reusable gowns show reduced environmental impacts, the cleaning process generates high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Sensitivity analyses suggested that the environmental impact on human health could be further reduced by 26% if the gowns were washed on-site at the hospital rather than being cleaned at another location.
Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of adopting sustainable practices to reduce the ecological footprint of healthcare systems, while also emphasizing the ongoing need to protect public health. Incorporating environmental factors into healthcare decision-making is essential for achieving sustainable development goals and ensuring the resilience of healthcare systems in the face of global challenges.
