Possibly. But one thing we know for certain is that pulp-based products are more environmentally friendly than standard plastic hospital products.
We are at last starting to see reprocessed pulp-based items enter the hospital product market at competitive prices that could make many plastic products like bath basins a thing of the past.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2011, there were an estimated 722,000 healthcare associated infections
(HAIs) in U.S. acute care hospitals (see chart below). Additionally, about 75,000 patients with HAIs died during their hospitalizations. More than half of all HAIs occurred outside of the intensive care unit.
There is also mounting evidence that standard plastic basins of a variety of types including bath basins are sources of HAIs. The American Journal of Critical Care reported that some form of bacteria grew in 98% of bath basins from 3 acute care hospitals. Justine O’Flynn, RN and infection control liaison for Kosair Children’s Hospital said, “Based on my own research, I would say it is very likely that bath basins increase the potential for HAIs.”
Becker’s Infection Control & Clinical Control turned to ASP Global for insights on the top attributes of pulp-based common, commoditized hospital products. The gist: recycled source material, sterilized from the start, capability and weight-saving. Read the full article here.
Are you ready to up your hospital’s ‘green game’ and reduce the possible plastics-related sources of HAIs? Let ASP Global help you efficiently source newly available pulp-based products.
Contact info@aspglobal.com or call (404) 696-6999.
