A New Approach to Surgical Gowns

Abstract

Emerging diseases such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, SARS, and most recently the Covid 19 epidemic have increased the importance of hygiene in the world, bringing the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) to the forefront. An important part of PPE in healthcare is surgical gowns, which are worn by doctors and nurses in the operating room to serve a dual function of preventing the transmission of microorganisms and body fluids from surgical staff to patients and from patients to staff. This chapter presents the history and importance of surgical gowns. The factors to be considered in the selection of surgical gowns are discussed. The model characteristics and fabric properties of surgical gowns currently on the market and the environmental impact of reusable and disposable gowns are outlined. Finally, shortcomings in available gowns are discussed, a new knitted surgical gown design is introduced, and recommendations are given in the final section. The chapter provides broad coverage of surgical gowns for both experienced readers and those new to the field.

Antimicrobial polymeric composites in consumer goods and healthcare sector: A healthier way to prevent infection

“…As the growing awareness of health and hygiene has increased the demand for bioactive or antimicrobial textiles, the antimicrobial functional finishes on fabrics and baby care products, provides protection to the wearer/user against viruses and bacteria. Not only the bioactive finish on the fabric functions to protect the wearer from microorganisms for aesthetic, hygiene, or medical reasons, but also protects the textile from biodeterioration caused by mold, mildew, and fungi 75,76,96–98 …”

“…Not only the bioactive finish on the fabric functions to protect the wearer from microorganisms for aesthetic, hygiene, or medical reasons, but also protects the textile from biodeterioration caused by mold, mildew, and fungi. 75,76,[96][97][98] Though there have been many advances in high-performance and functional protective clothing thus far, there remains a lack of comprehensive reviews that provide guidelines on the use of antimicrobial clothing as a base material for healthcare sector, especially toward face mask fabrics, PPE, hospital gowns, household kitchen aprons, clothing used at food processing industries (both disposable and reusable), meat industry, and so forth with their specifications and regulatory standards and possible and recommendable additives in this sector, which can be commercially scalable and usable for global economic landscape.…”

The Effect of Fabric Structure and Ultrasonic Welding Process on the Performance of the Spunlace Surgical Gowns

“…They have been used for more than a century by doctors and nurses, as protective clothing in the operating room to prevent the transmission of bacteria from patients to surgical staff, thereby reducing the incidence of hospitalacquired infections. In addition to providing protection, it also affects the comfort level of the healthcare personnel and, thus the success of the surgery [1].…”

“…They should not generate dust or flies or allow them to pass through. They should be soft and flexible, lightweight, and should not cause discomfort during use [1]. They should repel liquids but ventilate the surgeon's extreme body heat.…”

“…The Effect of Fabric Structure and Ultrasonic Welding Process on the Performance of the Spunlace Surgical Gowns. Tekstil ve Konfeksiyon, 33 (1), 45-55. nonwovens, which vary in quality depending on the manufacturer's intended use [3,4]. Nonwoven fabrics are preferred for surgical gowns due to their low cost, lightweight, durability, breathability, low hairiness, and disposability [5].…”