Wear Isolation Gowns & Coveralls to Protect Against Microbes

Isolation gowns and coveralls are commonly used in the medical field as effective protective apparel to prevent the spread of microbes and germs. Healthcare practitioners depend on these garments to protect themselves while working with patients who might have infections or diseases that could be transmitted through skin cells or clothing.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of differences between isolation gown and coverall. Our experienced sales team can help you find the options that best suit your needs.

Regarding the isolation gown, it offers limited coverage: the front side, sleeves, and length above the calf. The isolation gown typically leaves the back open, protecting the wearer from contamination primarily on the front side and above the knee. The wearer can adjust the fitting with ties at the waist and neck.

Regarding coveralls, they provide full-body coverage. Some styles even include boots and a hood, protecting the wearer from head to toe and from front to back. This makes them ideal for healthcare staff working on the front lines, such as those treating COVID-19 patients.

In recent weeks, PPE has become a part of common vocabulary. Isolation gowns are fortunately not in as high demand as projected. Hospital supply chain managers are preparing for potential surges in the upcoming summer and fall, stocking up for the future. Although the term isolation gown is used loosely, in healthcare, it is interpreted quite literally.

We do not manufacture gowns directly but produce rollstock, which is converted into gowns. Watch this video for an example.

This is a brief guide to the variations within the isolation gown category, specifically for medical personnel. It does not include the European EN 13795 classification for patient gowns, some of which are considered medical devices. The CDC’s NPPTL / NIOSH bulletin goes into great detail about design considerations, particularly focusing on the base material's resistance to fluids. While there are four well-defined levels, the classification basically refers to the extent to which the fabric or plastic film resists fluids.

An important term in this context is "strike-through," which describes the migration of microbes through the fabric. This factor is critical in the design of all surgical drapes. Previously, surgical instruments were placed on woven fabric, with little consideration for the wicking effect to a scalpel. A bloody instrument placed on the fabric created a path for pathogens. This led to the development of the ubiquitous mayo stand cover, featuring a layer of polyethylene film laminated to nonwoven material to prevent migration.

The NIOSH bulletin summarizes the issues as follows:

Selecting the most appropriate protective clothing for healthcare workers involves understanding various terms like fluid-resistant, fluid-proof, impermeable, and impervious. Fluid-resistant fabrics typically resist liquid penetration but may allow penetration under pressure. According to Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, "impermeable" means not allowing passage, whether of fluids, blood, viruses, or all. These terms, impervious and impermeable, are often used interchangeably. Manufacturers usually provide fabric or garment specifications based on standard test methods or classifications. Due to the misleading usage of these terms, the FDA does not approve marketing surgical gowns or drapes with such claims.

For more information, please visit breathable hooded protective coverall.

Many gowns are marketed using these terms, which is legal if the gowns are used outside the OR. However, the danger of exposure to bloodborne pathogens due to hemorrhage is high in both environments. In desperation, some nurses did not verify with NIOSH or ANSI when making makeshift gowns.

The test methods for determining susceptibility to penetration are well-defined, focusing on resistance to pressure. Pinholes can develop due to continuous pressure from leaning or resting. The test method is different from those used to assess the durability of polyethylene film, which is made to withstand sudden impacts.

The resistance to fluids determines the "class" of gown:

Table 3: ANSI/AAMI PB 70:12 classification of barrier performance of surgical gowns, other protective apparel, surgical drapes, and drape accessories.

Level 1
Test: AATCC 42 Impact Penetration
Liquid Challenge: Water ≤ 4.5 g
Result: Minimal water resistance (some resistance to water spray)

Level 2
Test: AATCC 42 Impact Penetration
Liquid Challenge: Water ≤ 1.0 g
Result: Low water resistance (resistant to water spray and some resistance to water penetration under constant contact with increasing pressure)
Test: AATCC 127 Hydrostatic Pressure
Result: Water ≥ 20 cm

Level 3
Test: AATCC 42 Impact Penetration
Liquid Challenge: Water ≤ 1.0 g
Result: Moderate water resistance (resistant to water spray and some resistance to water penetration under constant contact with increasing pressure)
Test: AATCC 127 Hydrostatic Pressure
Result: Water ≥ 50 cm

Level 4
Test: ASTM F1670 Synthetic Blood Penetration Test (for surgical drapes)
Result: No penetration at 2 psi (13.8 kPa)
Test: ASTM F1671 Viral Penetration Test (for surgical and isolation gowns)
Result: No penetration at 2 psi (13.8 kPa)

Nonwoven is the traditional material of choice. It is very porous and does not provide a water barrier unless it is "poly coated." This means polypropylene nonwoven, which has been extrusion coated with polyethylene for a water barrier.

We produce rollstock, which gets converted into truly impervious isolation gowns made from polyethylene film produced by the blown film process. This film is waterproof and stronger than extrusion-coated material because it is oriented in two directions.

In my opinion, a nonwoven gown with an open back falls short of being even a security blanket.

In the short term, opportunists are taking advantage of the situation by charging high prices. It is important to parse the claims and definitions carefully. Caveat emptor.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website wholesale ppe supplies.