Isolation gowns are used as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect users from pathogen transfer. Depending on why you need isolation gowns, risk assessments like location and the environment of use will help you choose the appropriate isolation gown for you. They come in two major categories; reusable and Disposable Isolation Gowns.
Health and safety regulations require employers to assess and manage health risks for their employees and patients. Healthcare providers must wear sleeved isolation gowns in critical areas like theaters or surgery rooms.
Table of Contents
Isolation Gown Ratings
According to the rating classification by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), isolation gowns come in four categories.
Each level prevents fluid penetration differently.
Level 1 Isolation Gowns
Level 1 isolation gowns have the least protection or barrier and are ideal for environments with minimal risk. To test their permeability, you can pour water on the surface to observe the absorption rate. Health professionals can use these isolation gowns during basic or standard medical care units.
Level 2 Isolation Gowns
Level 2 isolation gowns are made from thicker synthetic fabrics for better protection. They are more resistant to pathogen transfer and ideal for low-risk healthcare use, like when drawing blood, in laboratories, suturing, or intensive care unit (ICU). The gowns are disposable and come in several plastic materials, similar to Level 1 isolation gowns.
Their plastic variations include CPE, polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP). The material that makes level 2 isolation gowns can be indicated as SMS, the same as that used to make face masks. The fabric is breathable but provides the protection needed to prevent fluid penetration.
Level 3 Surgical Gowns
Level 3 isolation gowns are considered low protection for surgical exercises but offer quality protection against microorganism transfer. They are ideal for emergency room (ER) use and other crucial care units like trauma and burn.
Healthcare providers can also use them when drawing arterial blood or inserting intravenous and other applications with lesser chances of blood splatters.
The gowns are washable or disposable, but the former is only somewhat reusable. These surgical gowns come from the same fabric as those in levels 1 & 2, but they’re of higher density for better protection and are heavier to wear.
Unlike Levels 1 and 2, these are not made from plastic material variations but from cotton, which is washable in a machine. They may also be made from polymer fibers like poly cotton or polyester. Its reusability is unlimited, but you can only wash it a specific number of times.
Washing Level 3 gowns beyond the recommended wash cycle will deteriorate their permeability, making them less effective.
Level 4 High Barrier Protection
Level 4 gowns are appropriate for high-risk appliances, as they hinder fluid or viruses from penetrating. You can test their quality using simulated blood with a virus infection. Check the other side of the gown to find out if the blood has penetrated.
They’re used during lengthy surgical procedures, intense procedures when handling highly infectious diseases, or when pathogen resistance is required.
The gowns are fluid-impermeable, and the seams hinder liquid penetration.
Other Quality Properties of the Best Isolation Gowns
The level of permeability in isolation gowns is critical, but there are other properties you must check out for, depending on the purpose or application.
Clean vs. Germ-free
To the naked eye, a clean isolation gown is free of dirt or soiling, but it may have traces of microorganisms. You can use a clean isolation gown for general use, but it may be unsuitable for healthcare applications with high operating risks, like those found in surgery.
As for sterility, the isolation gown should be free of dirt, pathogens, and microorganisms that can reproduce and spread.
Sterile gowns are ideal for surgical procedures and other situations demanding high-level infection control.
Easy to Put On and Remove
Select an isolation gown that users can wear or take off with ease. Improper donning and doffing will increase the contamination rate or spread of harmful pathogens.
Using an isolation gown that’s challenging to remove or wear is frustrating and exposes the user to more risks of catching pathogens from the gown’s surface.
Size
Every facility needs different gown sizes, but each staff member needs to use the exact size. If a gown is too large or small, it will restrict movement and how they perform duties. Besides, the wrong size or material can expose users to the risk of getting infections.
Employees working in a care facility have isolation gowns that offer maximum protection. Maximum protection is only possible when the isolation gown covers the caregiver sufficiently to prevent contact with body fluids from patients.