A common misunderstanding among many end-users is that they are protected from blood , body fluids , and other potentially infectious materials ( OPIM ) when they wear any type of fluidresistant garment or surgical or isolation gown .
• reusable gown with Level 3 fabric to perform the same or cost the same as an FDA-cleared Level 3 surgical gown . Always thoroughly read the labels and understand the instructions for use , including processing and sterilization requirements .
Finding the Right Tool and the Right Processor
Before choosing the right reusable protective gowns , it is important to understand , as thoroughly as possible , the life cycle factors impacting the gown choice . Different gown types must be used for different situations . Gown performance is certainly critical but there is more to consider . For example :
● What are the gown-use cases ?
● How many gowns will be needed per day ?
● What is the current and future availability of the gowns ?
● Is your laundry processor accredited ?
● For how many uses are the gown certified ?
● How much do the gowns cost ? Most important , understand the use case and anticipated level of exposure for the wearer . For example , the need for cover gowns for hospital visitors can usually be met with a standard Level 1 isolation gown . But don ’ t expect much fluid repellency and never use these in situations where higher protection is required . In certain higher risk non-OR settings , standard Level 2 isolations gowns may be required . In all cases in the OR , FDA cleared surgical gowns are required . Choose the appropriate ANSI / AAMI PB70 level depending on the requirement . Choose Level 4 for long , fluid-intensive procedures with a high likelihood of lengthy exposure , Level 3 for moderate fluid barrier protection , and Level 2 for low- to minimal-fluid barrier protection . Try samples from reputable vendors and assess comfort , quality , and style .
Anticipate how many of each type of protective gown your facility will require per day and communicate needs to your laundry provider as early as possible . With COVID-19 , reusable protective gown supply chains have been stressed but are catching up . Understanding demands and availabilities early will help you and your laundry provider plan . Shortages can be mitigated temporarily with extra deliveries from your laundry provider .
Make sure you have a quality laundry provider that is accredited by HLAC (
http :// hlacnet . org ). Check that they process reusable protective gowns properly . If they are accredited , they should , but check anyway . Your laundry provider should not use bleach because it can damage gowns . They should not over dry as excessive heat will weaken protective gowns . They should process on standard protective gown wash formulas . They should regularly verify and document gown fluid repellency . Confirm that they purchase high-quality gowns from reputable suppliers with FDA clearance ( for Class II gowns ). Have them demonstrate that they remove gowns from circulation after their certified number of uses . A gown that is damaged from improper processing will not perform as intended and can become an infection risk for the wearer . Ensure that your laundry provider performs post laundering processing of Class II gowns in an accredited segregated pack room . These steps include gown inspection for cleanliness and integrity ; marking usage grids ; proper gown folding and packaging ; and appropriate labeling . It is always a good idea to inspect your laundry processor regularly to verify they are following the highest standards for infection prevention and patient / staff safety .
Reusable protective gowns generally cost less per use than their disposable counterparts . Understand how your laundry provider charges for reusable protective gowns . Do they charge per each ( typical ) or per pound . Expect to pay a low price per use for Level 1 or Level 2 non-surgical isolation gowns but expect high usage and high loss . Anticipate paying a premium for high quality Level 3 or Level 4 surgical gowns . Remember , these gowns undergo significant manufacturing steps that are not required for Class I protective gowns . They are also more expensive to process and package by the laundry . To save money and protect the environment , realize that expired Level 3 or Level 4 protective gowns can be re-purposed as Level 1 or Level 2 gowns rather than disposing of them .
The many benefits of reusable protective gowns are undisputable . They are more cost effective , more comfortable , leave a smaller environmental footprint and produce better outcomes for patients and clinical practitioners , to name a few . COVID-19 has highlighted many of the risks of relying on fragile supply chains where disposable products are manufactured thousands of miles from the end-user in factories with suspect quality practices . As a result , is easy to understand why an unprecedented number of healthcare organizations have converted to reusable protective gowns .
Gregory Gicewicz is distinguished in the reusable textile industry as a tireless advocate for increasing awareness of the significant role that having high standards in the processing of healthcare laundry plays in broader infection prevention strategy . He is president and CEO of Sterile Surgical Systems , a full-service accredited healthcare laundry and reusable sterile surgical textile pack manufacturer . He is past president of the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council ( HLAC ), currently serves as HLAC inspection committee chair , and led a committee that developed the HLAC Laundry Process Monitoring Toolkit .
www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • november 2020
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