Surgical gown provide protection against the transfer of microorganisms and particulate material and hence are all members of the same family of products. Depending on the level of protection required, these may be used for anything from janitorial work to visitors to healthcare providers. The wide range of applications and styles that are tailored as per end user’s needs led to the different names this article have.
Reusable Gowns
These gowns are simple ones that are cleaned and disinfected prior to each use. Depending on the type of gown and its protection level it have a limited number of wearing and cleaning cycles (approx. 75 time) before it must be disposed of. These are typically made of cotton or other synthetic woven fabrics.
Single use or Disposable Gowns
As the name say these gowns are disposed after use. This makes their use easy and more straight forward. Also as per facilities management standpoint a cost effective method by avoiding the need to maintain or contract potentially costly laundering services. These are manufacturer by nonwoven polymers and/or films. In countries like Canada, USA, Italy, England and several other jurisdictions, surgical gowns are used during surgeries and are supplied as a sterile product. The FDA’s approach to this term is more based on its protection level then to its name. For example, a “Surgical isolation gown” may not be sterile and may be used in areas where a higher degree of, whereas surgical gowns in the traditional sense of the name typically are”.