A new range of disposable drug round tabards from UK company GV Health promise to reduce the risk of cross-infection on hospital wards.

The new tabards - the first such product in the NHS - save 60% of cost per use compared to reusable fabric tabards. They have been developed in conjunction with senior nurses at leading general hospitals.

GV Health's drug round tabards are being introduced by a number of hospital trusts to reduce cross-infection, drug dispensing errors and interruptions, ensuring minimal cost and waste.

"Reusable fabric drug round tabards currently used by some hospitals have been identified as a potential cross-infection risk, particularly where time and financial restraints cause them to be used more than once without laundering. This has put nurses off using them and many hospitals have been looking for an alternative," said Catherine Pegna, Managing Director of GV Health. "We wanted to give nurses on drug rounds a safe way of putting up the 'do not disturb' sign while saving nurse managers some money."

GV Health worked with senior NHS nurses to develop the new disposable tabards. The single-size tabard can be adjusted to fit all shapes and builds, and is suitable for use in all types of ward.

Cost is a factor as well as safety. A recent survey found that laundered tabards cost an average of 42p per use. Disposable tabards can cost as little as 18p each, representing a saving of 60%.

Based in Ware, Hertfordshire, GV Health supplies infection prevention, disposables and usage monitoring IT systems.

 
GV Health disposable drug round tabard