www.americanlaundrynews.com
September 2023 • Volume 49, Number 09
The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management
Reusables vs. Disposables
Laundries have tools to reinforce reusable usage in healthcare after gains during the pandemic (Photo: © photography33/Depositphotos)
BY MATT POE, EDITOR
I
n healthcare, reusable textiles are effective for underpads, isolation gowns, surgical wrappers and surgical gowns. That fact was most convincingly displayed during the pandemic. “Many healthcare facilities, when faced with a shortage of disposable items (such as isolation gowns) turned to any reusable solution that they could find,” shares Jason Hartsell, vice president of operations for United Hospital Services (UHS) in Indianapolis.
“It was not so much that they wanted to move to a reusable product but more so that they had to move to something reusable. The FDA’s (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allowed companies to quickly bring isolation gowns to market during the pandemic without first obtaining FDA approval.” Gabriel Boardman, president of the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) and vice president of product development for MIP Inc. in Montreal, adds, “The pandemic led to global supplychain disruption for both reusable and disposable supplies. “As a result, reusables became the preferred and more reliable option since they can be laundered and quickly return to healthcare providers in dire need of replenishment.” “During the pandemic, healthcare workers were offered unrestricted access to personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide a greater sense of confidence to undertake their jobs and an increased sense of personal safety,” says Bryan Bartsch, a director for ARTA and president of Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service in North America. “Reusable PPE played a critical in meeting the demand and providing the most reliable supply of PPE.” Scott Delin, legislative director for ARTA and vice president of healthcare sales for Superior Group of Companies/Fashion Seal Healthcare in Seminole, Florida, says laundry operators were able to guarantee delivery of contaminant-free products. “No bacteria (hygienically clean),” he says, “and by using reusable, the contaminated disposables were no longer being tossed into the trash impacting negatively our environment.” Laundry and linen services took steps to
0923aln_p001-002,004,006,018-Opening Section and Career Track-FINAL.indd 1
try to continue reusable usage in healthcare facilities when the pandemic began to ease. “Based on feedback from our members, some laundry/service providers took a more proactive approach than others to make the shift more permanent,” says Sarah Brobeck, executive director of the Association for Linen Management (ALM) in Richmond, Kentucky. “Even when proactive, there were many considerations at hand and each varied by hospital. These considerations have a significant role in the long-term outcome of reusables versus disposables. “The laundry providers with success in a permanent switch continue to be proactive in understanding the needs and concerns of their customers and providing viable solutions to address any potential barriers. “They also provide continual data and feedback to the customers highlighting the benefits and cost savings associated with reusable products.” “Some laundry/service providers put the necessary systems in place to continue to offer reusable linen,” Hartsell says. “This might be a tracking system such as RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags, barcodes, a QC (quality control) grid or adding the necessary additives to the wash process.” “Laundry service providers took many steps, including educating users,” adds Rocco Romeo, treasurer for ALM and CEO of HLS Linen Service in Ottawa, Ontario.
RETURN TO DISPOSABLES
Unfortunately, the increase in reusable linen usage by healthcare facilities hasn’t continued beyond the pandemic. “I feel that many healthcare providers
See Reusable on Page 6
LATE NEWS Aramark announces board of directors for uniform services PHILADELPHIA — Aramark recently announced the Board of Directors for Aramark Uniform Services, the independent public company that will be formed following the spin-off, which is expected to be completed at the end of the company’s fiscal year. John Zillmer, Aramark’s CEO, says, “This is an important next step in our plan to create two independent companies. “Both organizations are well positioned with an executive leadership team and Board that can focus exclusively on their respective businesses to deliver value-creating outcomes.” Kim Scott, president and CEO of Aramark Uniform Services adds, “I am pleased to have this exceptional group of leaders on our Board that also reflect our company culture and values. “As we seek to deliver long-term value to all of our stakeholders through the acceleration of profitable growth and the continued delivery of an exceptional service experience to our valued customers, we will benefit greatly from our directors’ deep knowledge, expertise and diverse perspectives.” Aramark intends to appoint the following directors to its Uniform Services Board: Phillip Holloman, Chairman of the Board; Doug Pertz, Vice Chairman of the Board; Scott; Richard Burke; Tracy Jokinen; Lynn McKee; Mary Anne Whitney; and Ena Williams.
8/14/23 9:42 AM