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Laundering and Restoration of Reusable Surgical Barrier Textiles

Laundering and Restoration of Reusable Surgical Barrier Textiles. Steven J. Tinker Director, Research & Development Gurtler Industries, Inc. Reusable Surgical Textiles. Barrier Surgical Gowns and Drapes - Fluid Resistant Textiles Protect health care workers from blood and bodily fluids

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Laundering and Restoration of Reusable Surgical Barrier Textiles

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  1. Laundering and Restoration of Reusable Surgical Barrier Textiles Steven J. Tinker Director, Research & Development Gurtler Industries, Inc.

  2. Reusable Surgical Textiles • Barrier Surgical Gowns and Drapes - Fluid Resistant Textiles • Protect health care workers from blood and bodily fluids • Provide comfort and allow for sterilization • Several degrees of protection available

  3. Fabric Technology • Muslin • Traditional reusable OR fabric • Poly/Cotton Blend • Repellent finishes • Polyester Microfiber Technology • Continuous filament threads • Tightly woven • Repellent finishes

  4. Reusable Surgical Textiles • Muslin

  5. Reusable Surgical Textiles • Cotton/polyester blends

  6. Reusable Surgical Textiles • 100% polyester ‘microfiber’

  7. Reusable Surgical Textiles • Laminated fabrics – Gore-Tex®

  8. Reusable Surgical Textiles

  9. Microfiber Technology • Continuous filaments vs. staple fibers • Significantly lower linting potential

  10. Fluid Repellent Finishes • Polyester is “naturally” hydrophobic • But highly oleophilic • Fluoropolymers • Water and oil repellent • Mill applied, cured

  11. Environmental Issues • Reusable Surgical Textiles can reduce medical waste significantly • One garment can replace 150-200 disposable gowns • Considerable medical waste incineration or landfill impact • Significant cost savings can be achieved

  12. Environmental Issues • AHA & EPA agreement: Hospitals for a Healthy Environment • Goals: Reduce the overall volume of hospital waste (both regulated and non-regulated waste) by • 33 percent by 2005 and • 50 percent by 2010 • See www.h2e.org

  13. Regulatory Issues • Surgical gowns, drapes wraps and towels are “Class II Medical Devices” as defined by FDA • Commercial laundries that reprocess surgical textiles may need to register with FDA • Reporting Requirements – • Strike-through • Complaint handling

  14. Standard Laundry Process • Time • 30-45 minutes • Temperature • 160-180°F • Mechanical Action • Rated Capacity of Washer • Chemical Action • pH 11.0-11.5 • Surface Active Agents

  15. Reusable Care Concerns • Low absorptivity • Laminated fabrics: Impervious to fluid transmission • Barriers reduce chemical transmission through fabric • Reduced soil removal efficacy

  16. Reusable Care Concerns • Polyester - affinity to oily soils • Recommended temperature between 140-160°F • Use nonionic detergents – more difficult to rinse

  17. Reusable Care Concerns • Rinsing of detergent is key to barrier performance • Any residual detergent will affect barrier performance negatively • Must add extra rinsing time and steps • No fabric softeners or anti-static agents can be used

  18. Reusable Care Concerns • Polyester - Alkaline hydrolysis potential • Reduce the amount of alkali, reduce pH to <10.5 • Keep temperature <180°F

  19. Soil Characteristics • Blood Soils • Low temperature flushes to reduce “setting” • Enzyme detergent in prewash zone of tunnels

  20. Soil Characteristics • Oily Soils – Body Oils or Mineral Oils • Polyester has a high affinity for these soils • High surfactant detergents with oily soil emulsification properties • Cloud point of detergent 100-120°F • High phosphate detergents work better • Solvent-based detergent additives can help

  21. Soil Characteristics • Tape Residue • Use special tape with water/alkali soluble adhesive • Very difficult – if the wrong tape is used • Solvent detergent re-washes, high temperature reclaim process

  22. Reusable Care Concerns • Fluoropolymer finishes: Can be removed with harsh laundering processes • Reduce alkali • Avoid use of oxalic acid • Avoid some harsh solvents

  23. Barrier Fabric Process • Increased Time • 45-60 minutes • Reduced Temperature • 140-160°F • Increase Mechanical Action • 65-75% of rated capacity • Change Chemical Ratios • More detergent, less alkali

  24. Drying Process • Achieve “bone-dry” state • Dry at 170-200°F • Maintain maximum temperature for 3-5 minutes • Cool-down to 100°F

  25. Reusable Protection • Suter test - Hydrostatic resistance • AATCC 127-1985 • Oil and water repellency tests • AATCC 118-1992 • Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to penetration by blood or bloodborne pathogens • ASTM F1670-95 • ASTM F2671-95

  26. Repellency Performance • Oil Repellency is a major issue in surgical protective barrier materials • Suter test doesn’t reflect oil repellency performance • Oil stains can cause concern with health care personnel

  27. Barrier Rejuvenation • Modified fluoropolymers can be added in the final rinse cycle • Use rate of 2-6 oz/cwt • Cost of 2-4 cents per garment • Good drying is critical • “Maintenance” application of polymer can extend life beyond 150-200 uses

  28. Reference • ANSI/AAMI ST65:2000 – Processing of reusable surgical textiles for use in health care facilities • ANSI/AAMI PB70:2003 – Liquid barrier performance and classification of protective apparel and drapes in health care facilities.

  29. Additional Sources • ARTA - American Reusable Textile Association • www.arta1.com • TRSA – Textile Rental Services Association • www.trsa.org

  30. Laundering and Restoration of Reusable Surgical Barrier Textiles Steven J. Tinker sjtinker@gurtler.com

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