Table 2.

Perceived qualitative and quantitative differences to healthcare provision by deploying reprocessing of PPE to address shortages during COVID19 pandemic.

Qualititative	Quantitative
Reduction of infection rates seen in HCW resulting in sustainability of scale and capacity to underpin national strategic plan for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic	Increased availability of PPE and other critical care equipment
Sustainable enhancement of flexible decontamination process linked to (new) education provision in order to hurdle challenges and bottle-neck presented by shortfall in single use PPE for HCW	Reduced impact on environment with less incineration using sustainable eco-sustainable treatment modalities
New transferrable knowledge for replication across healthcare/medtech sectors with global orientation	New technologies and strategies identified as countermeasures to help address and manage COVID-19 – particularly for high risk situations, such as intensive care
Confidence in maintaining health outcomes for frontline HCW and patients	Potential generation of new IP and innovations
Cross-cutting knowledge acquisition from converging areas to address this specific solutions and to inform future policies surrounding preparedness for future pandemics	Increased number of trained experts equipped with new converging knowledge nationally with global orientation
Evolving medical device industry by way of informing need for operating sterilization modalities under reduced processing conditions for this need and for future opportunities	Reduced economic burden in terms of offering alternative options to procurement where there is global pressure on supply chain
Positive disposition towards related mental health issues arising due to uncertainty of existing technologies and provision for front line healthcare staff	Increased number of new policies and guidelines to address pandemic