The Tariff Tipping Point: Why Hospitals Need to Rethink Disposables—Now

The healthcare industry is facing a pivotal decision. With new tariffs looming on Chinese imports—including medical supplies like disposable gowns—U.S. hospitals are about to see a steep climb in costs. Combined with ongoing supply chain instability and increased pressure to meet sustainability goals, it’s clear: sticking with disposables is no longer a safe or smart strategy.

One of the biggest pain points? Single-use disposable gowns, which are primarily sourced from Asia. If you're still relying on them, it’s time to ask: what’s your plan when prices spike and inventory dries up?

⚠️ The Tariff Fallout: Higher Costs, Riskier Supply

New tariff announcements are targeting a wide range of goods, including the very gowns many hospitals use every day. With the majority of disposable gowns coming from Asia, U.S. health systems can expect:

• Rising per-unit gown costs
• Longer lead times
• Greater supply chain risk

And that’s not just a theory. In the wake of COVID-19, we’ve already seen how fragile the PPE supply chain can be. Add tariffs to the mix, and disposable gown sourcing becomes a financial and operational liability.

Are you prepared to pay more for less reliability?

✅ The Smarter Alternative: La Forma Medical Reusable Gowns

La Forma Medical is already ahead of the curve. Our reusable gowns are manufactured in the U.S. and Central America, keeping your supply chain stable and your pricing consistent—no surprise tariffs, no container delays, no customs red tape.

Our reusable gown program offers:

• Up to 50% savings per use
• Guaranteed regional supply chain
• Durable, high-performing PPE that supports long-term planning

🌍 Reusables: A Sustainability No-Brainer

The environmental case is just as compelling as the economic one.

A full life cycle assessment comparing reusable and disposable gowns found:

• 93% less solid waste
• 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions
• 41% less water use
• 28% lower energy demand

At a time when health systems are being asked to prove measurable ESG progress, switching to reusable gowns is a visible, immediate improvement.

😌 Better for Clinicians, Too

Our gowns are designed to solve a problem many clinicians don’t even know they have: discomfort.

La Forma Medical’s reusable isolation gowns are:

• Lightweight
• Breathable
• Cooler and better fitting than disposables
• Single Doffing
• Reduce potential infection with pull cord innovation

“We’ve had incredible feedback from clinicians—this gown is cooler, better fitting, and more environmentally friendly than anything we’ve used before.”
– Patti Hoch, Senior Director of Sourcing and Contracting, Inova Health System

🧼 Infection Control Backed by Research

It’s a common misconception that disposable gowns offer superior protection. In fact, recent research suggests the opposite.

A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) found that many disposable gowns did not meet basic performance specs—failing in water resistance and breaking strength tests. In contrast, reusable gowns demonstrated higher durability and retained their protective qualities after repeated use:

"The adoption of reusable gowns may result in increased protection and significant cost savings due to their superior durability and sustainability when compared to disposable gowns."
– AJIC, 2021 (source)

At LF Medical, our reusable gowns are specifically designed to meet these standards—providing long-term protection, comfort, and peace of mind in any care setting.

💡 The Bottom Line

With tariff-driven price hikes on the horizon and pressure mounting to meet sustainability targets, now is the time to reevaluate your PPE strategy.

Reusable gowns from LF Medical aren’t just an alternative—they’re the answer.

• Cost-effective
• Reliable supply
• Environmentally responsible
• Trusted by clinicians
• Better for infection control

Don’t wait until the next tariff hits or your next shipment is delayed. Let’s future-proof your PPE—together.