Industries
Hospital
How Plastic is Used in Hospitals
Plastic was a revolutionary discovery in the world of hospitals. Not only does it ensure greater patient and staff safety, but it also helps create a more sterile environment for surgeries and procedures.
The use of plastic operating tools and equipment also prevents complications arising with other machines in the rooms, such as an MRI machine. Before plastic was introduced, MRI machines attracted nearby metal objects with their magnetism. Thanks to plastic, this is now longer a problem.
Ultimately, it’s the people who benefit the most from the use of plastic in hospitals.
Exactly how do plastics help?
What are some uses of plastic in hospitals?
Plastics are used for large and small items throughout hospitals, from baby bassinets and surgical gloves to diagnostic medical machinery.
Originally, metals, glass and ceramics were primarily used within hospitals for devices, tools, machines and implants. Today, high-tech polymers are the preferred material, because they are more lightweight and offer better biocompatibility (reduced chance of bodily rejection or infection) and a lower cost.
The most common plastics used in medical applications include, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS) and polyurethane (PU).
However, PVC stands above the rest as the most widely used plastic material in hospitals. It’s predominantly used for pre-sterilized disposable implements.
Some common medical uses for plastic include:
- Catheters used to unblock blood vessels
- Disposable syringes
- Intravenous blood bags
- Modern prosthetics, including artificial knees and hips
- Surgical gloves
- Baby bassinets
- Inflatable splits
- The tools used to install MRI machines
- Dialysis components
- Blood collection tubes
How can BCJ Plastic Products help?
BCJ Plastic Products is dedicated to helping hospitals around Australia maintain their high standards of patient and staff safety. We provide a range of plastic medical products for hospitals, including baby bassinets, aerosol boxes, face shields and isolation screens/plastic barriers. If your hospital or business requires the plastic products mentioned above or any custom plastic fabrication, you can get a quote online or call us on (08) 9353 3477.
Aerosol Box
Designed to slip securely onto hospital beds, the aerosol box is made from acrylic or transparent polycarbonate sheet. It covers the head of patients to help prevent the spread of infected droplets.
The box can be cleaned and disinfected with bleach after every use. It’s an eco-friendly and cost-effective addition to any hospital or GP clinic.
Face Shield
Person-to-person transmission of infections, such as the flu, can occur when microdroplets from a sneeze or cough infiltrate the body through mucous membranes (i.e. wet parts of the face, such as the mouth, eyes and nose). Face shields offer effective defence against stray droplets, protecting wearers from infection.
Whether used as an alternative to face masks or as a complementary measure, plastic face shields are making waves in the medical sphere. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is often in short supply, so face shields are an easy, cost-effective way to ensure the safety of hospital staff and patients.
Isolation Screens/Plastic Barriers
Designed to protect frontline workers, isolation screens can be installed anywhere from hospital reception desks to grocery stores. They create a solid barrier between individuals and are an effective way to prevent the potential spread of highly infectious diseases.
BCJ Plastic Products manufactures isolation screens from acrylic, a useful material that’s transparent, lightweight and scratch resistant. Using laser technology, it can be cut into extremely fine shapes, which makes it ideal for fitting to curved desks and other oddly-shaped spaces.
Baby Bassinets
Designed for use in hospitals around Australia, these baby bassinets are made from transparent polycarbonate sheets that are dried overnight and vacuum formed over a mould to create a tub shape. The clean lines are an important part of the design, as they prevent harmful bacteria from living in any crevices.
Are you ready to find out if we can make your vision a reality?
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