Hygienically clean reusable textiles can save the healthcare system money, improve environmental sustainability, enhance supply-chain resiliency and protect frontline healthcare workers and patients. That’s the power of the industry that TRSA represents.
In recent months, TRSA has engaged in an aggressive campaign to leverage different channels—media outlets, podcasts and op-eds—to tell the story of the industry and the value that hygienically clean reusable textiles bring to the healthcare system.
A key part of those efforts include the findings of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (National Academies) workshop on reusable PPE in healthcare. The workshop stemmed from TRSA’s engagement with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Through email blasts to media, one-on-one conversations with reporters and formal interviews, TRSA is exploring many opportunities to promote the insights shared by the National Academies’ experts and the role of reusable textiles in healthcare. Here are a few examples.
Healthcare Warms to Reusable PPE
Once the National Academies of Sciences workshop concluded, TRSA issued a news release that highlighted key takeaways and TRSA’s reaction. As TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci noted in the release, the final report of the workshop “…reinforces our industry’s long-standing message that reusable linens, uniforms, garments and other textiles provide the most cost-effective, environmentally friendly and supply-chain sustainable options over disposables.”
The release caught the attention of Axios, a leading news outlet in Washington D.C. Through direct engagement with Axios, we shared background on the industry, the workshop and key differences between reusable and disposable PPE.
Axios reported that “the idea of recycling personal protective equipment is going mainstream.” They further opined that, “It’s evidence of a push to find a more environmentally sensitive and cost-effective medical supply chain that won’t buckle in future emergencies and still protects patients and health workers.”
The Axios story was featured in its Vitals newsletter, which boasts a subscriber list of 77,000 healthcare influencers.
Conversation with Health Care Purchasing News
In addition to healthcare influencers in Washington D.C., TRSA is reaching decisionmakers across the healthcare industry.
Ricci recently spoke with Janette Wider, editor-in-chief at Healthcare Purchasing News and host of the “Healthcare Hodgepodge” podcast. The podcast, which speaks to healthcare professionals involved in supply-chain management, covered the benefits of hygienically clean reusable PPE and what to expect from policymakers this year.
“Nobody really thinks about linen and textiles until they aren’t there,” said Ricci, who noted “that was certainly the case with the pandemic when we had some shortages of healthcare PPE.” Due to renewed interest in reusable PPE, Ricci said, “We are seeing several organizations, and several states, that are starting to take this on.”
An ‘Urgent Call to Action’
Policymakers have a role to play, but as TRSA’s Ricci explained in an op-ed, leaders across the healthcare system need to do their part, too. Published by Medical Economics—a leading practice management and finance magazine for physicians—Ricci wrote that, “Independent physicians need hospitals and medical centers to do their part. The National Academies workshop is an urgent call to action for the entire healthcare industry to diversify the supply of lifesaving personal protective equipment.”
An Integrated Campaign
There is more to come. TRSA’s earned media engagement is part of a broader integrated campaign that includes robust paid media and owned media activities. The association will continue to leverage all opportunities to tell the industry’s story and advance TRSA’s advocacy priorities for its members and their customers. TS
