Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Part (3)

GOWNS:

After gloves, gowns are the most important in personal protective equipment in the healthcare setting.

• The gown reduced the infectious rate and helps to prevent from microorganisms and liquid transmission.
• The gown fully covered from neck to knees arms to end of wrists and wrap around the back.
• Gowns are made from a fabric called SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) this is a lightweight and comfortable, non-woven fabric which gives a better protective layer.

IS THERE ANY PURPOSE FOR USING GOWNS?

• Gowns are used to protect the wearer from the spread of pathogens and illness.
• Gowns are mainly used to prevent the wearer from transferring microorganisms that weaken your immune system.
• Gowns prevent you from fluid contamination.
• Gowns are used when there is a risk of your clothing or exposed skin coming in contact wet anything or weeping.

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOWN?

• First, know the purpose of the use, check whether the gown should be fully cover the torso, fit comfortably over the body and have long sleeves.
• Check the resistance of the gown, some gown is made up of cotton or a spun synthetic material so check whether it is reused or disposed of.
• The permeability of the gowns must be checked properly.
• Check whether the gown is sterile because sterile gowns are only needed for performing an invasive procedure.

TYPES OF GOWNS:

1. Surgical gowns

2. Isolation surgical gowns

3. Non-surgical gowns

4. Procedure gowns

SURGICAL GOWNS:

• During surgical procedures personal protective surgical gowns to be worn by healthcare professionals.
• These surgical gowns are used to protect both the patient and healthcare personnel from infections.
• Surgical gown covers the body from the top of the shoulders to knees and the arms from the wrist cuff to above the elbow.
• Surgical gowns can be used for all risk conditions.
• The surgical gowns provide a breathable, protective barrier for the surgeons and the healthcare providers.
• Most of the surgical gowns are reusable material.
• Surgical gowns are classified into two types they are:
• Reinforced
• Non-reinforced

REINFORCED: It gives reinforced protection in specific critical areas for more invasive and intense surgical procedures.

NON-REINFORCED: It is less durable so it is designed for low to fluid contact surgical procedures.

ISOLATION GOWNS:

• Isolation gowns provide a moderate barrier to the body fluids and secretions, isolations gowns are disposable.
• The isolation gowns are mostly used for epidemic prevention inspection in public places, for example, husbandry and other environmental-related protection.
• Isolation gown keeps you more comfortable during your work and it always in control.
• The isolation gowns are water-proofed fabrics, which acts as a better resistance.
• Isolation gowns act as impermeable protective clothing.
• The non-sterile, disposable isolation gowns are used for the daily purpose in the healthcare setting. For example, health care professionals wear isolation gown for the patient who suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• The isolation gowns are used for the health care professionals who exposed to contact-borne infectious disease such as bacterial disease.
• Isolation gowns are used to wear when you enter the ICU and NICU and protective ward.
• The disposable isolation gowns are made by non-woven materials such as polypropylene, polyester or polyethene.

SURGICAL ISOLATION GOWNS:

 Surgical isolation gowns are used when there is a medium to high risk of contamination.

 The surgical gowns cover as much area of the body.

NON-SURGICAL GOWNS:

Non-surgical gowns are used to protect the wearer from the transfer of microorganisms and body fluids.

PROCEDURE GOWNS:

It is a non-sterile, usually disposable gown that may be fluid resistance or fluid impermeable, depending on the amount of the body fluids. For example during endoscopy or assisting in vaginal birth.

HOW TO DON THE GOWN?

 To don a gown, first you must select the appropriate type of the gown and the right size.

 The opening of the gown should be in the back.

 The owner should be secure at the neck and waist.

HOW TO REMOVE THE GOWN?

 To remove the gown, unfasten the gown ties with the ungloved hands.

 Slip hands underneath the gown at the neck and shoulder, and peel away from the shoulders.

 Slip fingers of one hand under the cuff of the opposite arm.

 Pull hand into the sleeve, grasping the gown from inside.

 Reach across and push the sleeve of the opposite arm.

 Fold the gown towards the inside and fold or roll into a bundle.

 Discard into waste or linen container.

DO’S AND DON’T:

DO’S:

• DO perform hand hygiene before donning any PPE used during patient care, including gloves, gowns and masks.
• DO perform hand hygiene after any PPE.
• DO wear a gown if you may come in contact with blood or body fluids are caring for a patient on contact precautions and performing surgical or invasive procedures.
• DO secure the gown at the base of the neck and at the waist if the design of gown allows is as indicated by the manufacturer.
• DO make sure that the gown fits securely around your wrists.
• DO make sure that the gown completely covers your clothing-front to back.
• DO remove the gown by slowly rolling inside out and away from your body.
• DO remove a contaminated gown inside the patient’s room or designated area outside the patient’s room.
• DO dispose of the contaminated gown in the designated laundry.

DON’T:

• DON’T reuse the gown for the same or different patient. Disposable and reusable gowns are single time use items and should be disposed of the garbage.
• DON’T push or roll gown sleeves up our forearm.
• DON’T allow contaminated gowns to hang out of the garbage.
• DON’T wear a contaminated gown outside of the patient care area.
• DON’T wear a non-sterile gown when performing an invasive procedure or surgery.

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