Sustainable PPE: is it possible to protect the patient and the planet?

Healthcare systems are facing the dual challenge of maintaining high standards of infection prevention and control while also striving to reduce the environmental impact of health care. Personal protective equipment is one area of nursing where sustainable change can impact positively on both the patient and the planet, as glove over use is one of the biggest carbon hotspots in healthcare. This article explores studies that have implemented changes to gloves, aprons, isolation gowns, eye protection and masks successfully. Benefits have been far reaching and have impacted positively on staff satisfaction, staff protection, staff dermatitis, patient experience, financial savings and carbon savings, with no adverse impact on healthcare associated infections.