Lessons learnt from the rapid implementation of reusable personal protective equipment for COVID-19 in Malawi

Limani, Fumbani, Garley, David, Cocker, Derek, Patel, Priyanka, Patel, Pratiksha, Gordon, Stephen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6576-1116, Nyirenda, Mulinda, Sakala, Servace, Gadama, Luis A, Dube, Queen, Bodole, Feggie, Mndolo, Kwazizira Samson, Mponda, Kelvin and Freyne, Bridget (2021) 'Lessons learnt from the rapid implementation of reusable personal protective equipment for COVID-19 in Malawi'. BMJ Global Health, Vol 6, Issue 9, e006498.

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Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged health systems and healthcare workers worldwide. Access to personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to mitigate the risk of excess mortality in healthcare providers. In Malawi, the cost of PPE represents an additional drain on available resources. In the event of repeated waves of disease over several years, the development of sustainable systems of PPE is essential. We describe the development, early implementation and rapid scale up of a reusable gown service at a tertiary-level hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Challenges included healthcare worker perceptions around the potential of reduced efficacy of cotton gowns, the need to plan for surge capacity and the need for ongoing training of laundry staff in safety and hygiene procedures. Benefits of the system included increased coverage, decreased cost and reduced waste disposal. The implementation of a reusable cotton gown service is feasible, acceptable and cost-effective in tertiary centres providing specialist COVID-19 care at the height of the pandemic. This innovation could be expanded beyond low-income settings.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > WA 105 Epidemiology WA Public Health > Accident and Injury Prevention. Disasters > WA 250 General works WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 525 General works WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Respirovirus Infections > WC 505 Viral respiratory tract infections WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Respirovirus Infections > WC 506 COVID-19
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme (MLW)
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006498
SWORD Depositor:	JISC Pubrouter
Depositing User:	Stacy Murtagh
Date Deposited:	20 Sep 2021 14:46
Last Modified:	03 Feb 2022 14:23
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/18972

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