What is the role of disposable isolation gowns against COVID-19?

As the novel coronavirus rapidly spread across the globe during 2020, experts rushed to understand crucial details like how and why it spreads. Thanks to thousands of medical and science professionals researching the virus, the way it’s transmitted from person to person is much better understood.

COVID-19: How it spreads

Like other respiratory viruses, COVID-19 is transmitted via droplets that can fly through the air when someone coughs, sneezes, or even talks. Coming into close contact with an infected person puts you at higher risk of getting infected yourself when droplets are easily passed.

 

Contaminated surfaces have shown potential in spreading the disease, which is why washing hands and avoiding face contact is essential.

 

It is also known that COVID-19 is an airborne virus, and can survive in the air for some time and leave people vulnerable to infection without proper PPE like N95 masks, goggles, or disposable isolation gowns.

 

Gathering in groups indoors can allow aerosols from a contagious person to buildup in the air and spread to others in the same vicinity.

Containing the coronavirus in healthcare settings

How do healthcare facilities prevent the spread of COVID-19 within their walls?

Negative pressure ventilation

Many medical centers use negative pressure ventilation in rooms with COVID-19 patients to prevent aerosols from staying in the air and escaping through open doors. This also protects healthcare workers from unnecessary exposure to infected droplets.

Limiting visitors

As difficult as it may be, hospitals have to dramatically limit who can visit patients based on the level of spread in the community. If visitors could come and go freely, this activity would lead to more cases among those in healthcare facilities and outside as well.

 

Infection control measures

Frequent hand washing and sanitizing of equipment is crucial in medical facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other patients and staff. Strict protocols have been put into place to ensure equipment and personal protective equipment are sanitized properly before moving on to the next patient.

Limiting aerosol-producing activities

Any therapies or procedures that produce aerosols in COVID-19 patients are a risk to healthcare workers. Limiting these activities to cases of absolute necessity can help reduce exposure to these aerosols.

Protecting healthcare workers

Frontline workers in medical centers across the world face risk every time they go to work. Coming in direct contact with patients with COVID-19 requires some special precautions.

N95

N95 masks or filtered respirators are standard protocol for frontline medical workers, filtering over 95% of harmful airborne microorganisms that can cause illness and infection.

Eye protection

Because droplets can get into the mucous membranes of the eyes, eye protection like glasses or goggles are highly recommended.

Face shields

Disposable or reusable face shields help healthcare workers reduce contact with droplets that harbor the virus as well as other bodily fluids from coronavirus patients.

Isolation gowns

Disposable isolation gowns are a vital part of personal protective equipment to shield the body from infectious droplets and fluids. Disposable gowns offer unparalleled protection and reduced risk of contamination since they are easily disposed of after a single use.

Isolation gowns and levels of protection

Not all protective gowns are built the same. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation has provided a breakdown of level of protection via a rating system:

AAMI Level 1: the minimum required level of protection used in medical applications

AAMI Level 2: offers minimal fluid barrier, good for use in intensive care units or pathology labs

AAMI Level 3: moderate protection and fluid barrier against blood splatter and body fluids

AAMI Level 4: the highest rated level of fluid barrier protection, ideal for high-risk transmission scenarios

 

Both polypropylene and polyethylene gowns offer important protection to healthcare professionals against the COVID-19 virus. By keeping droplets and body fluid splatter off skin and clothing, disposable isolation gowns not only protect frontline workers but help prevent spread to other patients.

Essential Safety PPE

Our disposable gowns meet AAMI level 3 standards of protection and are ideal for settings that involve isolation procedures for COVID-19. Isolation gowns make up essential PPE for healthcare workers in hospitals, nursing homes, dental offices, long-term care centers, urgent care practices, and other medical facilities.

 

Our PPE gowns provide extremely effective protection against harmful contaminants that can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Disposable gowns have shown to be more effective in protecting individuals vs. reusable gowns due to nonwoven fabrics being highly liquid repellent.

 

Contact us today to talk to one of the Essential Safety PPE experts and get top-rated disposable isolation gowns for your healthcare facility. We offer both open and full-back models to meet the needs and requirements of your team. All gowns are FDA registered and single-use for best results.