What does this research mean for the field?

Current evidence does not support a general clinical, economic, or environmental advantage for either reusable or single-use hygiene products in intensive care settings, with outcomes varying widely by specific product and context. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate and synthesize the clinical, economic, and environmental outcomes of reusable versus single-use hygiene-related nursing products in intensive and critical care settings.

September 15, 2026Nursing ReportsOpen Access

Beyond Disposability: A Systematic Review of Reusable and Single-Use Products in Hygiene-Related Nursing Care in the ICU

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Authors

ELEleonora Lombardi GBGianluca Barra DVDavide Vicari

Discussion

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Overview

Systematic review reveals mixed clinical, economic, and environmental trade-offs between reusable and disposable hygiene products in ICU patients, highlighting context-dependent sustainability.

Key Points

To evaluate and synthesize the clinical, economic, and environmental outcomes of reusable versus single-use hygiene-related nursing products in intensive and critical care settings.
Conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review searching MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL from database inception to August 2026 without language restrictions (PROSPERO CRD420261376160).
Screened primary comparative studies and process-based life cycle assessments reporting original inventory data in English or Italian.
Included 8 studies: 3 randomized trials, 4 quasi-experimental or before–after studies (encompassing 2,665 adult, pediatric, and neonatal ICU participants), and 1 process-based life cycle assessment.
Reusable linen lowered carbon emissions by 50% (decreasing from 7,206 to 3,605 kg CO2e) and reduced landfill waste, though it increased overall hospital expenditure by approximately 3%.
Clinical outcomes showed no consistent advantage between product types: linen type was not independently associated with pressure injury, bathing methods yielded heterogeneous microbial findings, and single-use diapers were linked to lower probable sepsis in one neonatal cohort.

Cite This Study

Lombardi et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913819013453be30a16b5 https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16090335

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September 15, 2026Nursing ReportsOpen Access

Beyond Disposability: A Systematic Review of Reusable and Single-Use Products in Hygiene-Related Nursing Care in the ICU

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ELEleonora Lombardi GBGianluca Barra DVDavide Vicari

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Systematic review reveals mixed clinical, economic, and environmental trade-offs between reusable and disposable hygiene products in ICU patients, highlighting context-dependent sustainability.

Key Points

To evaluate and synthesize the clinical, economic, and environmental outcomes of reusable versus single-use hygiene-related nursing products in intensive and critical care settings.
Conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review searching MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL from database inception to August 2026 without language restrictions (PROSPERO CRD420261376160).
Screened primary comparative studies and process-based life cycle assessments reporting original inventory data in English or Italian.
Included 8 studies: 3 randomized trials, 4 quasi-experimental or before–after studies (encompassing 2,665 adult, pediatric, and neonatal ICU participants), and 1 process-based life cycle assessment.
Reusable linen lowered carbon emissions by 50% (decreasing from 7,206 to 3,605 kg CO2e) and reduced landfill waste, though it increased overall hospital expenditure by approximately 3%.
Clinical outcomes showed no consistent advantage between product types: linen type was not independently associated with pressure injury, bathing methods yielded heterogeneous microbial findings, and single-use diapers were linked to lower probable sepsis in one neonatal cohort.

Cite This Study

Lombardi et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa913819013453be30a16b5 https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep16090335

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark