Do you really need to roll? Reducing the routine use of couch roll

To adhere to infection prevention guidelines, examination couches should be cleaned between patients regardless of if they are covered by couch roll. Additionally, changing couch roll creates extra work and can undermine optimal infection prevention practices.

We recognise that there may be times when couch roll may still be needed, for example as a privacy and dignity covering for certain examinations.

By reducing the amount of couch roll used, we will:

• Reduce procurement costs
• Reduce waste costs by reducing waste
• Reduce waste costs by disposing of it correctly
• Save energy and reduce emissions
• Supporting the national NHS objective to achieve net zero

What are we asking health care professionals to do?

• Only use couch roll when the patient is unclothed, for their comfort, privacy and dignity.
• If there is a risk of blood or bodily fluid spillage.

Dispose of couch roll correctly:

• If couch roll has been contaminated with blood or bodily fluid – dispose of into clinical healthcare waste stream.
• If couch roll has not been contaminated with blood or bodily fluid – dispose of into domestic waste stream NB: couch roll can be recycled if recycling waste stream is available in your setting.

To adhere to infection prevention guidelines, all examination couches should be decontaminated between patients regardless of if they are covered by couch roll.