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Did you know that it can take 300 years for a disposable head covering, like the ones used in hospitals, to break down in nature? You can imagine that the single-use nature of these coverings is highly damaging to the environment. That’s why Scotland has started developing plant-based alternatives. In this article, I’ll tell you all about it.
Scotland creates the first plant-based head covers for hospitals
At present, Scottish hospitals use approximately 800,000 disposable head coverings annually. To reduce this mountain of waste, the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow), Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh), and the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital in Clydebank joined forces. Besides aiming to reduce waste, they also want to alleviate patient anxiety and ensure better staff recognition.
The result is a head covering made from plant-based fibers. Because these fibers are biodegradable and can withstand up to 100 washes, the amount of medical waste is significantly reduced. Additionally, the head coverings feature various colors and patterns. The idea behind this is that these colors can help reduce patient stress. Furthermore, they allow for easy differentiation between the various roles in a hospital.
The development of the new head coverings was carried out in collaboration with staff at the Golden Jubilee University National Hospital, who are currently testing them. Based on user feedback, the head coverings will be improved with the goal of rolling them out across all Scottish hospitals.
Recognition in hospitals
While the use of plant-based materials for head coverings is new, using them for identification purposes is not. For a long time, colors and texts on materials have been used to distinguish roles. In 2019, Rob Hackett went viral online when he showed that he had written his name and role on his surgical cap. He did this primarily for his colleagues, with whom he worked closely as an anesthetist. Since the group of colleagues was so large that it was hard to remember everyone’s name, this seemed like a practical solution to him.
During the pandemic, more healthcare workers began adopting a similar method. Due to the extensive use of protective equipment like masks, head coverings, and plastic gowns, it was often difficult to recognize someone. This was true for both colleagues and patients. As a result, hospital staff started wearing paper stickers with their names on their protective gowns. Sometimes, these even included a photo so it was clear who was behind all the protective gear.
Color-coded recognition is also a well-known concept in hospitals. In England, an experiment is currently underway where each professional group wears its own color-coded uniform. There are 16 different colors and color combinations in total, which, according to some, creates confusion rather than clarity. After all, how can someone who rarely visits a hospital understand who does what with so many colors? At the University Hospital in Ghent, they chose to implement just two uniforms: one for medical staff and one for those in a supporting role.
Scotland Is leading the way
It’s clear that everyone approaches improving recognition in hospitals in their own way. But that’s okay. The important thing is that progress is being made, and that’s exactly what Scotland is doing. Regarding the plant-based fibers, it wouldn’t surprise me if others follow this example. After all, we all want the planet to remain beautiful. And if materials decompose more quickly in nature, it’s a win for everyone.
Best regards,
Aileen