Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has a valuable role in protecting health. PVC products provide benefits in many areas of our hospitals and healthcare systems, for instance:
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- vinyl covered hospital floors and walls reduce cross infection because the flooring lengths are fused together seamlessly using heat
- PVC blood bags mean blood can be stored for longer periods than blood stored in glass containers
- blister packs for tablets prevent deterioration, assist dose control and allow visual identification
- transfusion and intravenous tubing uses PVC for its transparency and flexibility
- vinyl surgical gloves stretch to multiple sizes and provide a barrier against cross infection.
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The key advantages PVC has over other materials for medical devices are:
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Sterilisation – retains its product integrity under hot and cold temperatures.
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Transparency – allows visual monitoring of medical procedures.
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Flexibility – reduces kinking in tubing and minimises interruptions to fluid flow.
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Strength – increases the durability and reliability of key products e.g. surgical gloves.
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PVC is the material of choice in many medical applications, not only because of its performance characteristics, but because it is inexpensive. This efficiency means hospitals are able to use quality disposable items that help reduce infection rates.
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