Practice hygiene in focus: The proper handling of medical disposable products

1. INTRODUCTION

Hook & Relevance

Entry: Numbers on the topic: About 4.8 million tons of waste are generated annually in German hospitals alone
Current relevance: New Medical Devices Operator Regulation (MPBetreibV) in effect since February 2025
Target audience: Direct address to practice operators, medical professionals
Problem statement: Balancing the highest hygiene standards with economic efficiency

Core Message

"Medical disposable products are essential for practice hygiene – but only with proper selection, application, and disposal do they fulfill their purpose efficiently and safely."

2. MAIN PART: LEGAL FOUNDATIONS

Legal Framework 2025

Current legal situation:

MPBetreibV 2025: New requirements since February 20, 2025
- Clarified operator obligations
- §8: Preparation in accordance with manufacturer specifications
- §9: Reprocessing of single-use products only under strict conditions
KRINKO/BfArM Recommendations: Considered an accepted hygiene standard
- Regularly updated Appendix 8 (as of March 2025)
- Risk classification: non-critical, semi-critical A/B, critical A/B/C
Infection Protection Act (IfSG): Basis for infection prevention

Hygiene Plan Requirement

Every practice must create an individual hygiene plan with:

Hand hygiene protocols
Surface disinfection
Regulations for disposable products
Waste disposal concept
Documentation obligations (at least 5 years)

Tip for readers: Do not simply adopt template forms – individual adaptation to your own practice is mandatory!

3. MAIN PART: PRODUCT CATEGORIES & SELECTION

3.1 Medical Gloves

Material Comparison:

Material	Advantages	Disadvantages	Field of Application
Latex	High elasticity, tear resistance, excellent tactile sensitivity	Allergy risk, permeable to oils	Standard examinations, surgery
Nitrile	Latex-free, chemical-resistant, oil-resistant	Lower elasticity	Allergy sufferers, laboratory, chemicals
Vinyl	Inexpensive, allergy-free	Low elasticity, not suitable for longer tasks	Short applications, care
PE	Very inexpensive, allergy-free	One size fits all, film-like	Very short applications

Quality Features:

AQL value 1.5 as a medical standard
Prefer powder-free versions (lower allergy risk)
Anatomical shaping for surgical gloves
Size selection for optimal fit

Market Trends 2024-2025:

Nitrile gloves gaining market share (better quality, decreasing prices)
Global market growing by 15.7% annually
Post-COVID-19: Stabilization of prices and availability

3.2 Paper Products & Covers

Examination Paper/Doctor Rolls:

Material: cellulose or paper
Standard widths: 50-60 cm
Lengths: 50-150 m per roll
With/without perforation

Patient Underlays:

Absorbent disposable underlays
Various absorption strengths
Waterproof backing

Paper Towels:

Dispenser systems for contactless dispensing
Z-fold or roll goods
Important: Elbow-operated dispensers

3.3 Protective Clothing

Protective Gowns: Weigh the pros and cons of disposable vs. reusable
Face Masks: FFP2/FFP3, surgical masks
Caps & Overshoes: For surgical areas

4. MAIN PART: PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Procurement & Storage

Purchasing Criteria:

Check certifications: CE marking, DIN standards
Pay attention to manufacturer specifications: Material compatibility, durability
Needs analysis: Realistically calculate consumption quantities
Cost-effectiveness: Bulk packaging vs. storage costs
Supply chain security: Maintain multiple suppliers

Storage Instructions:

Dry, cool rooms (room temperature)
FIFO principle (First In, First Out)
Separate storage by product groups
Regular inventory checks
Monitor expiration dates

Correct Application

Gloves:

Hand disinfection BEFORE putting on
Observe single-use
Change immediately if damaged
Note: Up to 10% may have microfine holes (even new!)
After removal: re-disinfect hands

Examination Paper:

Renew after each patient
Regularly disinfect paper roll holders
Ensure sufficient overlap

Documentation:

Note batch numbers for critical products
Track consumption for reorders
Document complaints

5. MAIN PART: COST-EFFICIENCY

Cost-saving potentials without loss of quality

1. Needs-based selection:

Do not use the most expensive product for every task
PE gloves for simple tasks
Nitrile only where necessary
Prefer standard sizes (M/L as main sizes)

2. Quantity strategy:

Bulk packages with longer shelf life
Annual contracts with quantity discounts
Joint orders in practice communities
Use online comparison platforms

3. Waste reduction:

Dispenser systems reduce waste
Training staff for conscious dispensing
Review actual needs

Cost example (reference values 2025):

Nitrile gloves: 4-8 €/100 pieces
Latex gloves: 3-6 €/100 pieces
Vinyl gloves: 2-4 €/100 pieces
PE gloves: 1-2 €/100 pieces
Examination paper: 0.80-2.50 € per roll

Cost-effectiveness calculation: With 20 patients/day and an average of 2 glove changes per patient:

40 gloves/day = 10,000+ gloves/year
Switching from nitrile to vinyl where possible: savings of up to 600 €/year
With 5 treatment rooms: potential savings of 3,000+ €

6. MAIN PART: DISPOSAL

Waste management according to current regulations

Waste categories:

Non-contaminated disposable products:
- Example: Unused or clean paper products
- Disposal: Household waste/recycling
Contaminated, non-infectious waste:
- Example: Used gloves without blood/secret contact
- Disposal: Medical waste (yellow/gray bags)
Infectious waste:
- Example: Blood or secret-contaminated material
- Disposal: Special containers, certified disposal companies

Special disposal:

Sharps containers: For sharp objects
Labeling: According to LAGA guidelines
Documentation: Keep disposal certificates

Proper disposal:

Privacy protection for waste containers
Fill level control (max. 2/3 full)
Organize regular pickups
Staff training for separation

7. MAIN PART: SUSTAINABILITY

Environmentally conscious practice hygiene

The dilemma:

Disposable products are essential for hygiene reasons
High resource consumption and waste generation
Patient safety always takes precedence

Sustainable approaches 2025:

Material innovations:
- Biobased gloves made from renewable resources
- Recyclable packaging
- Reduced plastic content where possible
- EU directive: Reduction of packaging waste required from 2025
Circular economy:
- Recycling programs for certain medical products
- Separate collection of clean packaging
- Special disposal companies for material recovery
Optimize waste separation:
- Only truly contaminated material as medical waste
- Collect cardboard and films separately
- Training for correct separation

Practical tips:

Prefer products with eco-certifications
Ask manufacturers for sustainability data
Check for reusable alternatives (e.g., reusable gowns)
Large packages reduce packaging waste

Important: Sustainability must never compromise hygiene and patient safety. The balance always favors safety.

8. COMMON MISTAKES & SOLUTIONS

Typical Practice Problems

Problem 1: Too long storage

Error: Creating annual stocks
Consequence: Expiration of shelf life, loss of quality
Solution: Rolling order system, max. 3-6 months stock

Problem 2: Incorrect glove choice

Error: Always using the most expensive product
Consequence: Unnecessary costs
Solution: Risk analysis of activities, tiered product selection

Problem 3: Inadequate documentation

Error: No proof of compliance
Consequence: Problems during hygiene inspections
Solution: Checklists, digital recording systems

Problem 4: Lack of staff training

Error: "Everyone knows that"
Consequence: Misuse, hygiene risks
Solution: Regular training (at least annually), written work instructions

Problem 5: Excessive consumption

Error: No control over dispensing
Consequence: Waste, high costs
Solution: Dispenser systems, raising team awareness

9. CHECKLIST FOR THE PRACTICE

Your hygiene check: Are you optimally positioned?

☐ Procurement:

[ ] Certified products according to current standards
[ ] Multiple suppliers for supply security
[ ] Economic quantities without overstocking
[ ] Regular price comparisons

☐ Storage:

[ ] Dry, cool rooms
[ ] FIFO system implemented
[ ] Expiration dates monitored
[ ] Separate storage by categories

☐ Application:

[ ] Written work instructions available
[ ] Staff trained (documentation!)
[ ] Manufacturer specifications available
[ ] Dispenser systems installed

☐ Documentation:

[ ] Hygiene plan current (annual review)
[ ] Batches documented for critical products
[ ] Training records available
[ ] Disposal certificates archived

☐ Disposal:

[ ] Correct waste separation
[ ] Sufficient containers
[ ] Regular pickups organized
[ ] Staff knows separation criteria

☐ Cost-effectiveness:

[ ] Consumption analysis conducted
[ ] Savings potentials identified
[ ] Product range optimized
[ ] Cost-benefit ratio checked

10. CONCLUSION & CALL TO ACTION

Summary

Medical disposable products are the backbone of modern practice hygiene. The new MPBetreibV 2025 emphasizes the importance of correct selection, application, and documentation. With the right strategy, the highest hygiene standards, economic efficiency, and increasingly sustainability can be reconciled.

Your 3 key steps:

Check: Verify the currency of the hygiene plan
Optimize: Differentiate product selection based on needs
Train: Regularly educate the team on correct application

Call-to-Action

Discover the complete range of certified disposable products at meinarztbedarf.com:

Gloves in all materials and sizes
Hygiene papers and covers
Protective clothing for every need
Fast delivery – Always on the safe side!

Need advice? Our expert team supports you in selecting the optimal products for your practice. [Contact us!]

11. SOURCES

All information is based on:

Medical Devices Operator Regulation (MPBetreibV) 2025
KRINKO/BfArM Recommendations (RKI)
Infection Protection Act (IfSG)
Current specialist literature and industry studies (2024-2025)
Manufacturer specifications from leading medical product providers

Last updated: January 2025

Total length: approx. 2,500-3,000 words Reading time: approx. 12-15 minutes Target audience: Doctors, practice owners, practice managers, medical professionals

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