Why Should Healthcare Providers Wear an Isolation Gown?

Healthcare providers are working day and night to save human lives. While doing so, they even put their own lives in danger by exposing themselves to a variety of dangerous infectious diseases.

Isolation clowns are worn by healthcare providers as a precautionary measure to prevent the possible transmission of infectious diseases from patients. Personal protective equipment and textile materials are used in health care settings but sometimes this equipment becomes the source of cross-transmission of infection. To prevent such transmission isolation gowns are used.

Isolation gowns and their types

Isolation gowns provide a great deal of protection from cross-transmission of infection and reduce the chances of disease acquisition by healthcare workers. Since there are not any standards fixed for the isolation gown, the level of protection these gowns offer entirely depends upon the material used in their manufacturing. The fabric of the gown, their design, pore size, seam strength, repellency, mobility, and thermal conform are some characteristics that can contribute to the effectiveness of these gowns.

Two types of these isolation gowns and their advantages are described below.

Disposable isolation gowns

This type of gown is designed for one-time use. After using them, these are being discarded. The nonwoven material is typically used for manufacturing. Protection from liquid penetration can be increased by the combination of nonwoven material with some other materials such as plastic films. For manufacturing purposes, various forms of synthetic fibers are used. Mainly the forms used are polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene. 

Reusable isolation gown

Reusable isolation gowns are the type that is designed in a way that they can be used multiple times. After the use of each time, these gowns need to be laundered and cleaned. Typically, the material used for the manufacturing of these gowns is cotton or polyester. The combination of two of these materials can also be used to ensure the maximum protection from infectious fluids and blood.

Both types of isolation gowns are used in different circumstances according to the requirement of situations and protocols. Reusable isolation gowns are preferred because they greatly decrease the environmental footprint.

Benefits of wearing isolation gowns.

These days, isolation gowns are widely used in health care centers. They are considered to be an overall infection controlling strategy. Following are some benefits of wearing isolation gowns by health care providers.

• In surgery isolation gowns, except the hems and cuffs, every other area is considered as a critical area. Isolation gowns ensure the protection from getting penetrated in all these critical zones.
• They provide the necessary protection from getting exposed to infectious liquid or solid material used in the treatments.
• They will protect the other vulnerable patients whose immunity systems are relatively weak.
• Minimal risk gowns are available for those who are visiting the patients.
• They help to prevent blood penetration during blood draw and suturing in the ICU.
• By wearing these gowns, the wearer will be ensured about the protection from non-airborne infectious diseases while doing any type of surgery.
• These gowns are designed in a way that they do not make any hurdle in treatment and laboratory activities.

Summary:

Authorities have made it a regulation to wear isolation gowns for health care providers. Anyways, taking precautionary measures, even when there is a little possibility of any kind of danger, is always a good idea. Use high quality and most recommended isolation gowns for maximum protection.