The threat of emerging infectious diseases, pandemic influenza and viral respiratory illnesses highlights the need to protect healthcare workers and patients. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a key safeguard against infectious diseases, especially blood-borne pathogens. Personal protective equipment includes protective clothing, isolation gowns, medical gloves, goggles, masks/face shields and head/shoe covers, etc. OSHA requires the use of precautions, such as PPE, during patient treatment to prevent the passage of microorganisms and infectious agents, especially blood-borne pathogens. In accordance with the isolation precautions of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and prevention guidelines, during procedures and patient care activities where contact with clothing, blood, and bodily fluids is expected, gowns should be worn to protect the arms and exposed body parts of health care workers. secretions and excretions. Protective clothing is considered the second largest personal protective equipment (PPE) after gloves.
Isolation gowns have different resistances to blood and other bodily fluids, depending on the type of material, its impermeability, and wear. Studies on whether routine use of isolation gowns reduces infection rates are mixed. Some studies show no benefit. During patient care activities, PPE can become contaminated with microbes it comes into contact with, droplets or aerosols from patient body fluids. They have the potential to spread microorganisms from one place to another. In one study, detection of MRSA or VRE was as low as 4% and as high as 67%, respectively, on the coveralls and/or gloves of healthcare workers involved in routine clinical care. Numerous studies have found that nurse uniforms are frequently contaminated and that germs are spread through the uniforms. In the isolation ward, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 12.6% of cotton-padded clothes, 9.2% of plastic aprons and 15% of uniforms. The coats and uniforms of healthcare workers were 63% likely to be contaminated with pathogens, and 50% of all samples were positive for pathogens. Depending on the materials used in the PPE and the relative humidity of the air, the persistence of the virus can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
In the United States, about 80% of hospitals use disposable gowns and surgical drapes. They are usually made of non-woven synthetic materials to enhance protection against liquid penetration, such as plastic films (polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene). Reusable isolation gowns are more popular in Europe. They are typically made from 100% cotton, 100% polyester, or a polyester/cotton blend and chemically finished for added protection against liquids. They must be washed after each use and are typically used for 50 or more wash/dry cycles.
Generally, disposable gowns are inexpensive and easy to mass produce. But the recent global pandemic has rapidly depleted supplies, making it nearly impossible to get enough protective equipment to protect healthcare workers. Healthcare facilities and EMS must be creative and explore alternatives to surgical and isolation gowns. Additionally, organizations are looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative that does not generate large amounts of medical waste containing potentially dangerous viruses. Anhui Medpus is also committed to the research and development of new products, taking the road of environmental protection and sustainable development.
