An investigation about comfort and protection performances of disposable and reusable surgical gowns by objective and subjective measurements

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate comfort and microbial protection performances of two reusable and two disposable surgical gowns by subjective wear trials conducted on eight healthy Dentistry faculty students under environmental conditions suitable for a surgical operation. Protection performances of the gowns were tested by a modified bacterial resistance test. Physiological and psychological data were obtained during wear trials. All objective and subjective results were evaluated in the light of standard physical, mechanical, permeability, and resistance (thermal and water vapor) characteristics of the fabrics. According to the results, thermal comfort performance of the woven gown produced from microfiber polyester was the best according to subjective wear trial and microbial resistance test results. Disposable nonwoven gowns had lower comfort performances despite their higher permeability and lower resistance values. Moreover, chest skin temperature, arm microclimate temperature, and arm relative humidity are the physiological parameters significantly correlated with subjective comfort evaluation results.

Valorization of disposable COVID-19 mask through the thermo-chemical process

“…is mandated in most countries [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] . Accordingly, the demands for PPE have been increased [8] , which has led to the subsequent generation of plastic wastes [9] , [10] , [11] . Unfortunately, a reliable disposal platform for PPE has not been achieved due to several reasons [12] .…”

“…Indeed, PPE is manufactured from various polymers (polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, etc .) and metallic compounds [9] , [10] , [11] . Despite that recycling is the best disposal option for PPE, such practice is not easily realized due to difficulty in proper separation [14] .…”

Medical textiles

“…They achieve this by controlling skin flakes and bacteria shed by the user and by preventing the direct transmission of microbes. Finally, a surgical gown must also demonstrate good wearing comfort whilst keeping the surgeon and team comfortable, particularly in longer operations [481,482]. Currently, for the UK, there are a series of standards applied to protective clothing items such as surgical gowns namely:…”

“…There has been a move towards disposable nonwoven gowns that do not require laundering and thus reduce the requirement for a laundering facility, although it has been determined that disposable nonwoven fabric gowns made from polypropylene or 55/45 cellulose/PET were less-comfortable than re-usable woven fabric gowns made from micro-fibre polyester reinforced with a permeable membrane or 65/35 PET/cotton [500], an important consideration in hospital operating theatres [501]. The nonwoven fabrics being used can be modified by laminating the fabric [502] and by using plasma treatments [503].…”

Improving the Quality of Nonwoven Materials Manufacturing based on Analysis of its Water Permeability

“…They provide a barrier that transmits water vapor and, at the same time, is fluid impermeable, which should not be underestimated during medical procedures [3].…”