PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Fumbani Limani
AU  - David Garley
AU  - Derek Cocker
AU  - Priyanka Patel
AU  - Pratiksha Patel
AU  - Stephen Gordon
AU  - Mulinda Nyirenda
AU  - Servace Sakala
AU  - Luis A Gadama
AU  - Queen Dube
AU  - Feggie Bodole
AU  - Kwazizira Samson Mndolo
AU  - Kelvin Mponda
AU  - Bridget Freyne
TI  - Lessons learnt from the rapid implementation of reusable personal protective equipment for COVID-19 in Malawi
AID  - 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006498
DP  - 2021 Sep 01
TA  - BMJ Global Health
PG  - e006498
VI  - 6
IP  - 9
4099  - http://gh.bmj.com/content/6/9/e006498.short
4100  - http://gh.bmj.com/content/6/9/e006498.full
SO  - BMJ Global Health2021 Sep 01; 6
AB  - 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.All data relevant to this study are included in the article or iuploaded as supplementary information.