Medical Gowns

Description of what it is and how it is used

Gowns are examples of personal protective equipment used in health care settings. They are used to protect the wearer from the spread of infection or illness if the wearer comes in contact with potentially infectious liquid and solid material. They may also be used to help prevent the gown wearer from transferring microorganisms that could harm vulnerable patients, such as those with weakened immune systems. Gowns are one part of an overall infection-control strategy.

A few of the many terms that have been used to refer to gowns intended for use in health care settings, include surgical gowns, isolation gowns, surgical isolation gowns, nonsurgical gowns, procedural gowns, and operating room gowns.

Here are the 3 main levels of gowns as described by FDA:

Level 2	Used in LOW risk situations Provides a barrier to larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and some fluid exposure through soaking Two tests are conducted to assess barrier protection performance: Water impacting the surface of the gown material Pressurizing the material	Blood draw from a vein, Suturing, Intensive care unit, Pathology lab
Level 3	Used in MODERATE risk situations Provides a barrier to larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and more fluid exposure through soaking than Level 2 Two tests are conducted to test barrier protection performance: Water impacting the surface of the gown material Pressurizing the material	Arterial blood draw, Inserting an IV, Emergency Room, Trauma
Level 4	Used in HIGH risk situations Prevents all fluid penetration for up to 1 hour May prevent VIRUS penetration for up to 1 hour In addition to the other tests conducted under levels 1-3, barrier level performance is tested with a simulated blood containing a virus. If no virus is found at the end of the test, the gown passes.	Pathogen resistance, Infectious diseases (non-airborne), Large amounts of fluid exposure over long periods

We have made progress in locating local supplies of appropriate material. We are especially looking for non-traditional medical suppliers that can cut typically rolls of 60 incl non-woven material, as well as suppliers that can sow 5,000+ gowns per week.

Mandatory requirements

See table above and FDA definitions re. Level 2, 3, 4
Product has to be impermeable, has to cover arms, chest, legs down to knees. It can be a something that is supplemented with a plastic apron and plastic arm covers.

Optional requirements

See table above and FDA definitions re. Level 2, 3, 4
Some ability for the body to breathe through the material. Typical material for gowns is Tyvek.
Re-usable gowns also exist in the market and we already have one 'Community Connect' partner producing these as quick as they can. Our suppliers have capacity to launder up to 30,000 gowns within 2 day-turnaround

Desired quantity

Minimum quantity: 1,000
We are looking for scalable, high volume options. Our region may need as many as 15-20,000 disposable gowns .... per day!

List of URL links to normally commercially available examples

This is a TechSpring Community Connect page.

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