Surgical gown fabrics in infection control and comfort measures at hospitals

Abstract

Emerging illnesses like Ebola hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis B and C, SARS and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic have underlined the importance of wearing personal protective equipment. Aprons, gowns, coveralls, masks or respirators, and goggles are examples of personal protective equipment. Surgical gowns, which are worn in the surgery room by doctors and nurses to prevent the transfer of germs and bodily fluids from surgical staff to patients and from patients to staff, are an important part of personal protective equipment in healthcare. Surgical gowns are originally constructed of cotton fibres, but modern gowns are made of a range of woven and nonwoven textiles, which may be reusable or disposable. Surgical gowns must control the spread of infections, while simultaneously allowing appropriate comfort, mobility without rubbing and chafing, resisting ripping and linting. A proper understanding of the parameters that affect the barrier properties is needed to design a surgical gown for desired use. This paper discusses various types of surgical gowns, their classification, parameters affecting the properties and the test methods used in surgical gown testing.