The Difference Between Protective Clothing, Isolation Clothing and Surgical Clothing

Disposable breathable isolation gowns, disposable protective gowns and disposable surgical gowns are all personal protective equipment commonly used in hospitals. But in the process of clinical supervision, we often find that medical staff are a little confused about these three. After inquiring about the information, Gcmedica will talk to you about the similarities and differences of the three from the following aspects.

Ⅰ. Functions of protective gowns, isolation gowns and surgical gowns

(1) Disposable isolation gown

Protective isolation gowns are used for medical personnel to avoid contamination by blood, body fluids and other infectious substances, or to protect patients from infection. Isolation gowns not only prevent medical staff from being infected or contaminated, but also prevent patients from being infected, which is a two-way isolation.

(2) Disposable protective gown

Disposable protective equipment worn by clinical medical staff when they come into contact with patients with infectious diseases of Class A or managed according to Class A infectious diseases. Protective gown is to prevent medical staff from being infected and is a single item of isolation.

(3) Disposable surgical gown

The surgical gown plays a two-way protective role during the operation. First, the surgical gown creates a barrier between the patient and the medical staff, which can reduce the probability of the medical staff being exposed to potential sources of infection such as the patient's blood or other body fluids during surgery. Secondly, the surgical gown can block the spread of various bacteria adhering to the skin or clothing surface of medical staff to surgical patients, which can effectively avoid cross-infection of multiple drug-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus. Therefore, the barrier function of surgical gowns is regarded as the key to reduce the risk of infection during surgery.

Ⅱ. Indications for wearing protective gowns, isolation gowns and surgical gowns

1. Disposable isolation gown

(1) When in contact with patients with infectious diseases transmitted by contact, such as patients infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria, etc.

(2) When carrying out protective isolation for patients, such as the diagnosis, treatment and nursing of patients with extensive burns and bone marrow transplants.

(3) When may be splashed by the patient's blood, body fluids, secretions, and excrement.

(4) When entering key departments such as ICU, NICU, protective ward, etc. Whether to wear protective isolation gowns should be determined according to the purpose of medical personnel entering and their contact with patients.

2. Disposable protective gown: When contacting patients with Class A or Class A infectious diseases. When contacting patients with suspected or confirmed SARS, Ebola, MERS, H7N9 avian influenza, etc., the latest infection control guidelines should be followed.

3. Disposable surgical gown: After strict aseptic disinfection, it is used for invasive treatment of patients in a special operating room.

Ⅲ.  Appearance and material requirements for protective gowns, isolation gowns and surgical gowns

(1) Disposable isolation gown

Protective isolation gowns are usually made of non-woven materials, or combined with materials with better impermeability properties such as plastic films. It is imparted with integrity and toughness through the use of various nonwoven fiber joining techniques rather than the geometrical interlocking of woven and knitted materials. Isolation gowns should cover the torso and all clothing to form a physical barrier to the spread of microorganisms and other substances. It should be impermeable, abrasion resistant and tear resistant.

(2) Disposable protective gown

Protective gown consists of a hooded top and pants. It can be divided into one-piece structure and split structure. The trouser legs and cuffs are tightened, and the protection level of protective gown is higher than that of isolation gown. One-time use is generally recommended. Protective gown must have liquid barrier function, flame retardant properties and antistatic properties, and have requirements for breaking strength, elongation at break, filtration efficiency, etc.

(3) Disposable surgical gown

The standard has clear requirements for the barrier properties, strength, microbial penetration, and comfort of surgical gown materials. Surgical gowns should be impermeable, sterile, one-piece, and have no caps. Generally, the cuff of the surgical gown is elastic, which is easy to wear. And it is beneficial to wear sterile gloves. It is not only used to protect medical staff from contamination by infectious substances, but also to protect the sterile state of surgically exposed parts.