GV Health Insights | Medication Safety
Drug Round Tabards: Reducing Interruptions and Supporting Patient Care
Examining the concerns, the findings of a hospital study and the considerations surrounding single-use and reusable tabards.
The use of “do-not-disturb” tabards during nurses’ drug rounds has prompted debate in the national press and on platforms including Nursing Times. Questions have centred on patient communication, nursing time and hygiene.
Understanding the concerns
- Could patients find nurses wearing tabards less approachable?
- Do tabards affect the time available for patient care?
- What does their use mean for nursing standards?
- Could inadequately cleaned reusable tabards present a cross-infection risk?
As a supplier of single-use drug round tabards to the NHS, GV Health has a commercial interest in their use. We also believe that products used in healthcare should serve the interests of nurses, patients and healthcare providers.
Why were drug round tabards introduced?
Hospitals introduced tabards as one way to reduce interruptions during medication administration. Concerns about medication errors were already well established: in 2006, the Healthcare Commission urged hospitals to improve prescribing and dispensing as it published findings covering 173 NHS trusts in England.
The historical figures cited at the time identified more than 40,000 medication errors in a year across hospitals in England and Wales. National Patient Safety Agency findings indicated that approximately 80% caused no harm, 15% caused low harm and around 5% caused moderate or severe harm.
Reducing distractions during drug rounds became an area of focus, prompting studies into ways to help nurses administer medicines with fewer interruptions.
The Colchester General Hospital study
One study was undertaken at Colchester General Hospital in Essex. At the time described, Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust was a 600-bed acute district general hospital with 1,200 nurses across 30 wards, serving a population of approximately 370,000.
Root cause analyses of significant medication administration errors identified distraction during drug rounds as a contributing factor. Interruptions also prolonged rounds and delayed the administration of medicines.
Following preliminary investigations, the hospital undertook a three-month trial of red “do-not-disturb” tabards.
71%
Reduction in interruptions
Reported during the Colchester trial using reusable fabric drug round tabards.
The study also reported:
- A significant decrease in medication incidents alongside fewer interruptions.
- Shorter drug rounds, helping patients receive medication more promptly.
- More time for trained nurses to undertake other nursing activities.
The findings suggest that reducing interruptions can support medication safety while freeing nursing time for other aspects of patient care.
About the study: GV Health was not involved in this research. The reusable fabric tabards used were not a type supplied by GV Health. The findings relate to the study setting and should not be interpreted as guaranteed outcomes elsewhere.
Single-use and reusable tabards: hygiene considerations
The Colchester study did not assess infection risk. Reusable fabric tabards require appropriate laundering, and their hygiene depends on how they are handled, stored and cleaned between uses.
GV Health supplies single-use polythene drug round tabards, removing the need for laundering and avoiding reuse of the same tabard between wearing episodes.
A simpler approach to tabard management
Single-use tabards avoid the collection, laundering and redistribution processes associated with reusable garments. Correct use, removal and disposal remain important parts of local infection prevention procedures.
Considering the cost per use
Comparisons between disposable and reusable tabards should account for laundering as well as the initial purchase price.
A separate trial at a UK general hospital reported disposable tabard costs approximately 60% lower than reusable alternatives when regular laundering was included.
Disposable tabards
17.5p
Reported cost per use in the historical trial.
Reusable tabards
Over 40p
Reported cost per use, including laundering.
These figures describe the trial comparison, rather than current prices. Actual costs depend on purchasing arrangements, usage and local laundry services.
Read the study and explore the product
Read the report on drug round tabards and medication safety.
Explore GV Health drug round tabards
View our single-use printed polythene tabards.
