National Academies to Host Virtual Workshop on Reusable Healthcare Textiles for PPE

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will host a public virtual workshop on reusable healthcare textiles (HCTs) used in place of disposable paper or synthetic alternatives for personal protective equipment. The workshop will be held March 4–5 and will allow technical experts, policymakers, manufacturers, PPE users, and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge and ideas as they consider integrating reusable HCTs in healthcare settings.

Workshop presentations and discussions will cover topics such as recommendations, approaches, and guidelines for reusable HCTs; contamination of textiles in healthcare facilities; current product and technology standards for reusable HCTs; and the performance, comfort, environmental impact, and use issues for reusable HCTs compared to their disposable counterparts. Other topics include the similarities and differences between European and U.S. systems related to HCT use, potential benefits and feasibility issues, and opportunities and approaches to integrate reusable HCTs into healthcare settings.

The National Academies will publish the proceedings of the workshop for public dissemination. For more information, visit the National Academies’ website.