Sterile Surgical Gowns
Sterile surgical Gowns are the primary form of protective equipment used by those in the health care industry. These gowns are used in various sectors but are most commonly seen being worn by surgeons and their staff. Modern surgical gowns provide a safe barrier between the surgeon and their patient, ensuring that neither suffers from any potential contamination from the other. This includes a variety of different potential factors such as patient bodily fluid coming into contact with their surgeon as well as ensuring that the surgeon is operating at their cleanest during a procedure.
Most sterile surgical gowns come in a variety of colors and sizes due to the various types of doctors and nurses that will generally wear them. They can be purchased individually, as just the gown, or in a pack, including the face mask and gloves. These gowns cover the entire body, from the shoulders and chest, down to the knees and wrists. This is to ensure the maximum amount of the surgeon’s body is protected in the event of a “spray” or other issue.
These gowns are made from either a reinforced or non-reinforced material depending on their quality and durability. Those made from non-reinforced materials are typically less durable and are generally intended for relatively simple procedures with low amounts of potential fluid contact (ie. dental surgeries). Reinforced gowns are much more resilient and are used in much more intensive surgical procedures such as an organ transplant. They are made from a fabric known as Spunbound Meltblown Spunbound, or SMS for short. The material is both lightweight as well as comfortable for the surgeon, allowing them a free range of motion while performing their procedure.
Surgical gowns are generally given a rating based on their “AAMI” (Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) level. The AAMI was formed in the late 1960s and is the primary authority on many instruments, uniforms, and materials found in the medical field.
When performing any surgical or medical procedure that may result in open wounds, the use of surgical equipment, or any chance scenario where the surgeon may be exposed to an open or bleeding injury, a surgical gown, mask, and gloves is required in order to ensure the maximum safety for both the surgeon and their patient.
