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. 2021 May;49(5):563-570.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.10.013. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

Disposable versus reusable medical gowns: A performance comparison

Meredith McQuerry  1 , Elizabeth Easter  2 , Alex Cao  3
Affiliations

Disposable versus reusable medical gowns: A performance comparison

Meredith McQuerry et al. Am J Infect Control. 2021 May.

Abstract

Background: Medical gowns are essential personal protective equipment (PPE) that prevents the spread of microorganisms and bodily fluids. During surge capacity situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, reusable PPE is often recommended due to shortages.

Methods: This research evaluated the performance of disposable versus reusable medical gowns by assessing their ability to provide adequate protection across their expected service lifespan. Level I, II, and III gowns were tested for water resistance and hydrostatic pressure, along with other durability assessments (breaking, tear, and seam strength, pilling resistance, dimensional stability, and air permeability, colorfastness, and fabric hand) per standard test methods. Data were collected at new for the disposable gowns and after 1, 25, 50, and 75 industrial launderings for the reusable gowns. Results were compared to the Association of the Advancement Instrumentation® (AAMI) PB70 performance specifications.

Results: Level I and II disposable gowns did not meet AAMI performance specifications for impact penetration water resistance. All 3 levels of disposable gowns also failed to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials performance requirements for breaking strength in the crosswise direction.

Conclusions: The adoption of reusable gowns may result in increased protection and significant cost savings due to their superior durability and sustainability when compared to disposable gowns.

Keywords: Durability; Medical Gown; Medical Textiles; Protection; Standards.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Average impact penetration (g) of (a) disposable gowns at new and (b) reusable gowns after 1, 25, 50, and 75 industrial launderings.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Average hydrostatic pressure (calculated water column height) of (a) disposable gowns at new and (b) reusable gowns after 1, 25, 50, and 75 industrial launderings.
Fig 3
Fig 3
Average strength results for the disposable and reusable medical gowns for (a) breaking strength of critical zones, (b) tear strength of critical zones, and (c) seam strength of the reusable gowns only.
Fig 4
Fig 4
Average air permeability (cfm) of the disposable gowns at new and the reusable gowns after 1, 25, 50, and 75 industrial launderings, for both the front and back of the gown locations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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