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About Reasons Why Plastics
Are Essential To Patient And Health Worker Safety
1. Disposable (and recyclable)
plastics-based medical devices reduce cross contamination
With the introduction of single-use,
plastics-based devices at a large scale in the 1960s it was
possible to eliminate most cross-contamination between patients
and also make hospitals safer for healthcare workers. However,
disposable does not mean unrecyclable. The majority of single-use
medical devices are made from PVC, a safe, versatile and
affordable material that can be easily recycled – and that’s being
done in several parts of the world.
2. Plastics are robust and help
make hospitals safer for patients and health workers
In the past, containers for
medicines, blood and other fluids were made of glass. When robust
plastic-based containers were introduced in the 1950s, it meant a
great leap for patient safety, as well as the safety of healthcare
workers.
3. Hygienic vinyl-based hospital
interiors help against hospital-acquired infections
Each year more than 4 million
patients in the EU contract infections from hospital exposures and
37,000 unnecessary deaths result due to such infections. Vinyl
flooring, ceiling and wall coverings are widespread in hospitals
and help to create safe environments, thanks to the polymer’s
unique hygienic properties.
4. Plastics are extremely
versatile and have enabled endless innovation
Due to plastics’ extreme
versatility, designers have endless options to create life-saving
medical products for diagnostics, treatment and care.
5. Affordable plastics have
expanded access to quality healthcare
Cost is a barrier to safe, quality
healthcare. As plastics in general, and PVC in particular, are
affordable and extremely versatile, they have played a huge role
in allowing more and more people around the world access to
quality healthcare.
(Ref: https://pvcmed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/5-reasons-whyplastics-are-essential-to-patient-and-health-worker-safety.pdf).
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