Thanks to a recent sustainability initiative, our surgical teams are embracing the use of reusable and personal cloth hats.
Working closely with Infection Prevention and our Sustainability Committee, Dr Tracy Jackson, Specialist Anaesthetist was a passionate advocate and driver of the proposal for reusable cloth hats, which are now part of our Perioperative Attire, Food, Beverage, and Mobile Phone Usage in Operating Suite Procedure.
“It’s essential we make environmentally sustainable choices while ensuring patient care and safety is upheld.”, says Dr Jackson.
“With our theatre teams able to reuse their cloth hats, fewer disposable caps end up in landfill, while reducing hospital costs. It really is a win-win.”
Photo of Dr Jackson wearing a yellow patterned cloth hat in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Reducing waste – environmentally and economically
One of the goals outlined in our Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan is to manage our waste sustainably while maximising opportunities to reuse and recycle. The reusable cloth hats initiative is the first of many of how we’re continually working towards reducing landfill waste, while ensuring excellence in health care is maintained.
“Research suggests a 20-theatre complex like Monash Medical Centre discards an estimated 100,000 disposable theatre caps per year. While some disposable hats would still be needed for level 3 PPE, changing to reusable cloth hats in all other settings still represents a significant saving.”, says Dr Jackson.
Photo of three clinical employees wearing their clue patterned cloth hats in the ward.
Protecting our patients
To ensure we continue to protect our patients and colleagues, the safe use of reusable cloth hats in perioperative attire must adhere to the following conditions in the Perioperative Attire, Food, Beverage, and Mobile Phone Usage in Operating Suite Procedure, available on Prompt:
- Cloth hats must be made of a tightly woven material e.g., polyviscose or polycotton.
- A freshly laundered cloth hat must be used daily. Hats that become visibly soiled during wear must be replaced immediately with a clean hat and cannot be re-worn until after laundering.
- To clean effectively, cloth hats must be laundered at temperatures of 60 degrees centigrade, or higher, for at least 10 minutes before being tumble dried or ironed.
- Clean hats must be transported in a dedicated, sealed bag. Hand hygiene must be performed before touching the hat. Worn hats must also be transported in a separate, dedicated bag to prevent potential contamination.
Photo of five clinical employees wearing their colourful cloth hats in the ward
Where to get a reusable cloth hat?
Multiple local companies sell reusable cloth hats in a variety of designs and patterns. When purchasing, you can consider taking on the #TheatreCapChallenge by personalising your cap with your name and role. This practice helps with communication and building trust with patients and colleagues.
Photo of two clinical employees pointing to Dr Jackson between them, while wearing their colourful cloth hats in the ward
Congratulations to Dr Jackson, the Sustainability Committee, and Infection Prevention for establishing a more sustainable option in theatre hats while protecting the safety of patients and employees.
If you have an idea for more sustainable practices in the workplace, submit your suggestion by completing the Sustainability Initiative Proposal form online here.
Approved by Cath Cronin, Interim Chief Operation Officer – Acute Services and Paul Butler, Interim Executive Director, Office of Chief Executive