Medical disposable bedsheets are sheets generally reserved for temporary use. The key word here is "temporary." After all, these sheets should be disposed of regularly. The primary purpose of such sheets is to protect a surface from getting contaminated. They're also known as disposable bedsheets hospital, which signifies their importance in the healthcare industry.
Why Are Disposable Medical Sheets So Popular?
Well, for starters, they're disposable! But before you understand that, let's take a deeper look at what these sheets do. Medical sheets, as previously mentioned, work as a physical barrier. Their main task is to prevent a surface from getting contaminated. Having a physical barrier on certain surfaces is very important in specific industries. Healthcare is one such industry, and it is almost always in demand for medical bedsheets. To justify this need, let's look at the standard hospital bed.
A hospital bed is a hotbed of contamination. The contaminated individual, in this case, becomes an even more significant threat if immobile.
Whatever the case, these beds are always under the threat of contamination. As such, there's always a need for disposable medical sheets wherever there's a hospital bed. These sheets help to prevent infections from transferring between people. The medical sheet is a physical barrier and protects the bed's surface. As a result, when the sheet is disposed of, the bed's surface is not contaminated and is still ready for use!
The best part about a medical sheet is its availability. These sheets are available throughout the world (even in developing countries). Add that to their low price, and you have the perfect combination. That said, there are a few qualities a disposable medical sheet must have. But before we examine that, let's examine what medical bedsheets are!
Medical Bedsheets: What Are They Made from?
With such high demand, producers are always looking for efficiency. When it comes to the types of fabrics used to make bedsheets, there have only ever been two. These are, namely, woven and nonwoven. Efficiency in the statement above doesn't necessarily mean fast production. It can also stand for a much more important aspect: expenditure.
Woven fabrics, in comparison to nonwoven, have their own set of qualities. However, woven wipes are not commonly used in medical sheet production; why so? Simply because woven fabrics aren't suited for the task.
The primary aspect of a medical sheet is its disposability. You can only use these sheets once! Thus, the material used to make them cannot be woven fabric. These are pretty expensive and shouldn't be disposed of that quickly. Nonwoven fabric is a much better choice as:
- It is much cheaper.
- Easy to procure and create.
- Serves as the perfect shield.
Natural nonwovens are quite easily disposable. After all, since they've been made from raw materials, they don't take that long to degrade.
What Qualities Do The Best Disposable Bedsheets Hospital Have In Common?
That said, not every piece of nonwoven fabric can be made into a medical sheet. Medical sheets have a significant presence. Therefore, these sheets have strict guidelines to follow. Some of the qualities that the best medical sheets have in common are:
1- They Must Be Resistant To Liquid
Disposable water bedsheets aren't uncommon these days. And, if you think about it, it's only natural for a medical sheet to be waterproof. There can be one of two scenarios when it comes to a patient in a hospital bed.
- The patient can move and take care of himself.
- The patient is immobile.
Whatever the case may be, having a waterproof bed is handy. If your medical sheet gets drenched with water instead of repelling it, there's a high chance it will carry any contamination. At that point, the whole purpose of a medical sheet would become null.
2- They Should Be Resistant To Chemicals
This is quite similar to being waterproof. Any medical bedsheet worth its salt must be resistant to chemicals. Medical disposable sheets are geared for an environment that frequents bedding changes. In simpler words, they're meant for an environment where short stays are common. A prime example of this is a hospital or small clinic.
Doctors may be professionally trained, but a small spill here and there can happen. Sometimes, the patient might end up spilling unwanted liquids on themselves.
To prevent unforeseen circumstances, an excellent medical sheet should resist chemicals. Of course, guarding against everything is nigh impossible. However, protecting against chemicals common to a healthcare setting is possible.
3- Should be "Disposable."
Being disposable doesn't just stand for being thrown away after use. With the number of medical bedsheets used daily, it is essential to understand this.
Disposable on paper stands for throwing away after use. This means there isn't a need to wash the material in question. However, in the day and age we live in, the meaning of disposable has changed. Now, disposable means that the product shouldn't be that hard to process. While it doesn't have to be part of the three R's (reuse, reduce, recycle), it shouldn't be hard to degrade. Medical sheets are used in substantial quantities around the world. This is why improper disposal of such sheets can cause much damage. Not only are they a hassle, but they also accumulate and can ruin the land.
That said, most nonwoven medical sheets fall into this category. Thus, you won't have to search hard to find a suitable medical sheet. We've already stated why nonwoven medical sheets are so popular. The fact that most nonwoven fabrics are entirely natural (plant-based fiber) establishes the idea that they degrade pretty quickly too.
What Types Of Nonwoven Disposable Medical Sheets Are There?
1- Ordinary
These medical sheets are not waterproof. They can be breathed through and held together quite nicely. There are no designated front and back sides, and the fabric has a very soft feel, similar to cotton. They also develop no mold when left in an environment similar to a greenhouse. The greenhouse test is a very suitable metric. Leaving the sheet behind in a humid and low-temperature climate shows how well it'd fare in hospitals.
These nonwoven medical sheets are designated to be thrown away after a single use. However, they can also be sterilized with Ethylene Oxide and used accordingly.
2- Peritoneal
These airtight sheets are not only waterproof but bacteria proof too. When left in a greenhouse environment, they develop no mold. These sheets are labeled with a front and a back. The front of such sheets is made out of nonwoven fabric. This nonwoven fabric makes this side non-allergic and has a very smooth feel. The back side has a plastic coat which protects the sheet from pollution and makes it waterproof.
3- SMS
These nonwoven bedsheets are a bit unique; They are made of three layers of nonwoven fabric. A melt-blown layer is in the middle of the three-layered material. This layer is responsible for making the entire bedsheet waterproof and bacteria-proof. A nonwoven filament fabric is on the outer side or the outer layer of the sheet. This fabric is not only tensile and robust, but it also makes the sheet breathable. You'll often find these sheets used in a surgical operation inside an entirely sterile operating room.
What Other Industries Can Medical Disposable Wipes Be Used In?
Medical disposable sheets are often used in other industries. For instance, hotels and beauty salons regularly use medical sheets. Let's continue forward with hotels as an example.
Using a disposable medical sheet instead of the standard bedsheet reduces laundry costs. Furthermore, the bed itself remains cleaner for a much longer time too.
Bodily fluids such as sweat can contain contaminants. Being waterproof, these disposable bedsheets protect the mattress below from getting infected. Thus, they are a lot cheaper than sanitizing the room again every once in a while.
FAQs
Q: Can you use regular sheets on a hospital bed?
A: Regular sheets can also be used on a hospital bed. However, they have to be carefully taken care of. If you opt for dedicated sheets (disposable), you have to change them regularly. As for regular sheets, you have to clean and sanitize them regularly.
Q: Which fabric is the most suitable for a hospital bed and why?
A: Nonwoven fiber is the most suitable for a hospital bed. That said, 100% cotton or a blend with polyester is the most appropriate nonwoven fabric for a hospital bed.
Q: Why are hospital bedsheets usually white in color?
A: White is usually used for medical sheets because it helps to quickly identify the injury and where it is. Doctors and nurses can easily see any color other than white on a white background!
Conclusion
Medical bed sheets are temporary-use sheets. They're usually found in healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics. These sheets act as physical sheets to protect a surface from contamination. There are three types of disposable medical sheets:
- Ordinary
- Peritoneal
- SMS
These sheets are disposable and usually made from nonwoven fiber. This is because medical sheets are in high demand, and woven fiber can cost quite a lot. On the other hand, nonwoven fiber provides a cheap yet hygienic alternative.
The physical barrier that medical sheets provide stops infections from spreading out. Since the actual surface is left untouched by patients, the infections do not spread.
Of course, this is only if the sheets are disposed of properly. Some of the qualities that an excellent disposable medical sheet must have are:
- Water resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Actual disposability
Medical sheets are also quite popular in other industries. Beauty salons and hotels are good examples of this. Hotels can save quite a lot by opting for medical sheets. After all, it saves them from laundry and sanity expenditure.