Cost analysis of reusable and disposable isolation gown in hospital usage

Isolation gown protects workers from micro-organism and body-fluids due laminated fabric structure. Laminated fabrics create barrier between the worker and the outside area.

En 14126 certified disposable isolation gown from market and a resuable isolation gown produced from Ariteks Arox T0 Wr/Wp fabric is compared as cost and environment issues. The re-usable isolation gown is produced in Istanbul. The disposable one is produced in Ankara.

Resuable isolation gown's outside area is water and oil repellent with ISO 5 EN 24920 tested. The waterproof pressure is around 10.000m H20. Arox T0 WR/WP fabric looks very good and comfortable. The inner side of the fabric is laminated to TPU membrane. The disposable isolation gown looks very week in all aspects.

The project is done for an hospital near Çorlu/Tekirdağ area. The hospital uses 1000 disposable iso-gown per day for all workers. There is 638 healthcare workers who need isolation gown.

The resuable iso-gown fabric can be washed 30 times. Even after 30 times 60'C degree washes the water pressure is around 7000mm H20. Which is much higher than EN 14126 requierements. It is expected to wash and re-impregnate by water and oil repellent solution the isolation gown at the end of the day. The disposable isolation gown expected to be used only for one day.

Total cost per month while using disposable gown is below. The price of disposable gown is 3,99 Euro/piece. There is approximately need of 1,56 disposable isolation-gown per person.

buying cost: ((3,99 Euro/piece * 1,56 pieces/day * 638 person) * 30 day= 119.700 Euro
management cost : 1.184 Euro
sterilization cost : 0.0 Euro
packing cost after washing: 0.0 Euro
waste cost: 2.650 Euro
total cost: 123.534 Euro

Total cost per month while using resuable gown is below. The price of resuable gown is 29,99 Euro/piece. 2 iso-gown per month per person. Max 30 wash(1 month usage).

buying cost: ((29,99 Euro/piece * 2 piece/person * 628 person) = 37.554 Euro
management cost : 1.184 Euro
sterilization and re-impregnation cost : 12.256 Euro
packing cost after washing: 254.0 Euro
waste cost: 132 Euro
total cost: 51.380 Euro

So it clear that the total cost of gown usage can be reduced more than half by using re-usable isolation gown on hospitals. The healthcare workers feel better due to use of better isolation gown. And nearly complete reduction in waste occurance.