The Reusable Message: More Important than Ever! 
By Donald Pedder, ARTA President

As the president of the American Reusable Textile Association, I’m proud to present our  second seminar on reusable medical textiles, “The Insider’s Guide to Reusable Medical Textiles: Textile Selection and Successful Packroom Operations,” April 30-May1. As you know, our mission as an association is to create greater awareness, appreciation and acceptance for reusable textiles. To that end and to meet the needs of industry members, we have developed our second seminar on reusable medical textiles, which should help allay everyone’s fears about how to approach the next generation of reusable surgical textiles.

We’ve invited experts in all areas of the industry to share their expertise during the  conference:  On Day 1, we’ll cover topics on textile selection; on Day 2, the focus is on developing successful packroom operations.  Please welcome our speakers and ask lots of questions. There will be ample time for welcomes at our Networking Reception Wednesday night and during meals and breaks.

The reusable message has never been more relevant than it is now. Global warming and its environmental consequences are top-of-mind among Americans. There is an understanding that our society cannot keep using the earth as a giant trash can. Each year Americans generate more than 250 million tons of trash and the nation’s hospitals generate approximately 2.3 million tons of waste. Ten to 15% of that hospital waste is considered infectious waste; about half of which is generated in the operating room.

Our industry provides a solution — reusable medical textiles — that can substantially reduce infectious (red bag) medical waste. Our challenge is to educate our customers on this solution, in addition to providing quality products and service. As Nate Belkin says, let’s just do it!

In closing, I would like to thank the ARTA Board of Directors for all their work in putting this seminar together.  And I extend a special thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting ARTA and this event.  I look forward to speaking with you at the seminar or some day soon.