Lachine Rasul
Introduction
The NHS is responsible for 4.4% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, with medical equipment comprising 10% of this footprint. Disposable surgical gowns, routinely used in operating theatres, are a major contributor to environmental waste and financial costs. At Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, annual gown disposal costs reach approximately £1.6 million, generating around 3 tonnes of CO₂—the equivalent of driving 6,000 kilometres. Evidence suggests reusable gowns can reduce resource use by 64%, emissions by 66%, and solid waste by 83%.
Methods
This project conducted a retrospective analysis of six high-volume minimally invasive procedures to assess gown usage, weight, cost, and carbon output. Reusable gowns, which can be washed and reused up to 100 times, were introduced in the Interventional Radiology PICC Line Department. Infection rates before and after implementation were monitored, alongside staff surveys evaluating comfort, usability, and feasibility.
Results
Results showed no rise in surgical site infections post-implementation. Staff feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with all respondents reporting equal or better comfort and 80% supporting continued use. Reusable gowns proved to be around ten times more cost-effective per use. The initiative has since expanded to the Urology Centre, with Ophthalmology next in line.
Conclusions
This project demonstrates that reusable surgical gowns are a safe, costeffective, and environmentally sustainable alternative. It supports the NHS’s 'Net Zero by 2040' plan by integrating climate-conscious practices into clinical care. In the context of global climate change and its health impacts, such initiatives are crucial to delivering sustainable healthcare.
Authors
Lachine Rasul
Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom
Mohammad Shahzad
Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom
Doaa Fadlalla
Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom
Ashmitha Vindya
Ashford and St Peter's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, United Kingdom