Healthcare manufacturers recommend stainless steel, plastic, and copper due to their durability and versatility—they have multiple benefits for patient treatment. While some materials serve more purposes than others, all are equally important. Each of the suggested materials to use in healthcare manufacturing serves a specific function with the patient’s best interest in mind.
Stainless Steel
This is among the most used materials in hospitals because of its hygienic characteristics; it is unlikely to break and highly formable, making it ideal for medical and surgical equipment. Since it is resistant to corrosion and has antibacterial properties, its uses include:
- Medical needles like microcannulas
- Sinks
- Medical fixtures
- Hospital beds
Metals like stainless steel play a crucial role since it’s most often used for medical equipment and temporary implants. Furthermore, its ability to heal itself, or restore its top layer, is indispensable. Since it self-heals, it won’t sustain cracks on its surface after extended use or the application of disinfectant; this is crucial, as it could otherwise harbor bacteria. Due to its easy maintenance and resilience, it’s considered one of the best materials to use in healthcare manufacturing.
Plastic
Often, healthcare facilities use plastic because it’s both flexible and, to an extent, durable. Additionally, it serves countless purposes, including:
- Medical carts
- Bins
- MRI machines
- Medical lockboxes
- Syringes
- I.V. bags
Since the material is cost-effective, professionals often utilize plastic for one-time use. Moreover, some plastics, like polyethylene, have various advantages due to their resistance and ability to face the elements. Materials made of plastic are inexpensive for medical care facilities and safe for the patients. Furthermore, unlike metals, plastic comes in hypo-allergenic forms, which is crucial when caring for patients with allergies.
Copper
Recently, researchers have begun conducting clinical trials on the use of copper because it has properties that make bacteria unstable, thus killing them. Often, copper is used in areas with high-contact, as they’re more likely to have germs on them. Uses for copper within hospitals include:
- Bed railings
- Tray tables
- Call buttons
- Door handles
Like stainless steel, copper serves various uses and is unlikely to break. Despite its many benefits, copper is not as commonly used within medical manufacturing because it’s costly; however, unlike steel, it can disinfect itself, sometimes making it the best option for equipment and patient safety.
