Hi Everyone,
It would be great to collect some resources to inform decisions about single use versus reusable gowns.
I've recently come across this paper which suggests that reusable are safer in orthopaedic theatres https://boneandjoint.org.uk/Article/10.1302/0301-620X.108B7.BJJ-2025-09…
This study from 2025 (Rotaru et al.) looks at contamination rates and advocates for reusable to minimise waste https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surge.2025.07.007
This paper has three case studies: https://www.healthinnovationnwc.nhs.uk/media/News/2024/REUSABLE%20SURGICAL%20GOWNS%20REPORT%20Jan%2024.pdf
If anyone else has experience, and has addressed challenges such as sourcing gowns and managing laundry, please can you share your experience?
Hi Sarah, lots to discuss here, have you seen the Dragon Trial information from NIHR?
https://www.globalsurgeryunit.org/clinical-trials-holding-page/project-…
We have always had both and so are encouraging a gentle swap. A trust nearby uses reusables for all procedures, always has. let me know if you want to talk more.
Hi Elizabeth, Thanks so much for highlighting this trial - I hadn't come across it before. That's great that you are moving across to reusables, and perhaps you'll end up like the nearby Trust - exclusively using reusables - eventually! I am not sure what challenges there are in relation to laundry at our Trust, so I might start by assessing capacity there.
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