Behind the Seams Episode 5 Recap
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Cort, Director of Surgical Solutions at George Courey Inc., for a deep dive into the reusable surgical textiles market covering AAMI PB70 performance levels, FDA 510(k) progress, in-house testing, and why the economics and ESG benefits are accelerating adoption across North America.
Why We Built a Surgical Program (and Why Now)
A major brand’s exit left a gap in the market. We stepped in with a comprehensive reusable program from Level 2 (L2), Level 3 (L3), and Level 4 (L4) surgical gowns to surgical drapes and sterilization wrappers backed by data, approvals, and a purpose: safer, more sustainable, cost-effective protection for clinicians and patients.
FDA 510(k) and AAMI PB70: Confidence You Can Specify
Entering (and thriving in) the U.S. requires rigor. Cort’s team has secured FDA 510(k) clearances across the portfolio to meet the “gold standard” for medical devices. Performance is aligned to AAMI PB70 levels:
-
Level 2: Withstands ~20 cm water column (hydrostatic pressure)
-
Level 3: Withstands ~50 cm water column
-
Level 4: Highest barrier protection, including viral penetration testing
To support continuous quality, we built a lab at George Courey capable of synthetic blood penetration and hydrostatic pressure testing bringing verification closer to production and giving clinical teams confidence that products meet spec wash after wash.
Safety & Comfort: What Clinicians Actually Feel
A common misconception is that disposable equals safer. Cort outlines why reusables deliver robust protection and a better user experience:
-
Every-use inspection: Reusables are laundered, inspected, and reprocessed per HLAC or Hygienically Clean standards; sterilization validation includes chemical/biological indicators.
-
Fewer tears: Higher tensile and tear strength reduces intra-procedure failures.
-
Breathability & comfort: Laminated barrier fabrics allow water vapor transmission (like a quality rain shell), improving comfort during long cases without compromising barrier performance.
The Economics: Cost-Per-Use Wins (Even in “Worst-Case” Scenarios)
First cost of a reusable L4 gown is higher than a disposable but cost per use is lower. Cort cites outcomes from industry experience:
-
Typical reuse counts: 40–50+ cycles; even at ~20 reuses, hospitals still see meaningful savings.
-
Studies and field programs consistently show ~30–50% total cost savings versus disposables when accounting for processing.
Beyond direct costs, OR waste reduction is a major ESG lever. Replacing single-use packs with reusables cuts landfill volume and supports sustainability targets without sacrificing clinical performance.
For Healthcare Laundries: A High-Value Service Line
For healthcare laundries (HLAC/Hygienically Clean plants), reusable surgical is a differentiating, high-value add-on to general linen:
-
Grow share of wallet with existing hospital customers
-
Provide non-sterile packs (common U.S. model) from a climate-controlled inspection/pack room with light tables and documented MDIs (manufacturer device instructions)
-
Partner with George Courey on program design, economics, training, and go-to-market, we help you build, launch, and sell the program to your IDN/health system clients
Why Adoption Lags in Some Markets (and How to Bridge It)
In parts of Europe and Canada, reusable surgical is mainstream. In the U.S., adoption has lagged due to staffing constraints, custom pack complexity, and perceived switching costs. The path forward:
-
Standardize where possible (procedure packs) to simplify reprocessing.
-
Quantify the economics (we model cost per use, reuse counts, processing labor).
-
Pilot by service line, prove the win, then scale.
What You Can Expect from George Courey Inc.
-
FDA 510(k) cleared portfolio: L2/L3/L4 gowns, drapes, sterilization wrappers
-
In-house testing capabilities for faster validation and consistent quality
-
Consultative launch support for healthcare laundries and hospitals (SOPs, training, economic models)
-
A century-plus of institutional textile know-how, distribution across North America, and programs built for industrial laundry durability
The Bottom Line
Reusable surgical textiles deliver clinical protection, clinician comfort, significant cost savings, and measurable ESG impact with inspection and quality checks every single use. If you’re ready to de-risk supply, cut waste, and control costs, now’s the moment to evaluate a reusable program.
Check out the full episodes of our podcast Behind The Seams!
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJxm9u_cwN0bnsq5thf2tO2RFf5p4tsly&si=_xSXEypSgwKa2jBU
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51WS4qet7nu2p5zYOTTa2V?si=fFGlmoxDSgaViXcxNtzCyw
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, where we’ll dive deeper into the world of institutional textiles, hospitality linens, healthcare laundry solutions, and the people who keep this industry moving forward.
