What is the difference between level 3 and 2 AAMI reusable isolation gowns?

Isolation gowns are a very crucial part of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of
frontline workers, especially those in the medical field. They protect most of the body
against the splatter of fluids and particulates. Picking the right gown for the right
situation is crucial for healthcare workers as they are constantly exposed to these fluids
and particles that can carry infectious diseases. Level 2 and 3 reusable AAMI isolation
gowns that have been manufactures according to the guidelines of the American
National Standards Institute/Association of Advancement of Medical Instrumentation
(ANSI/AAMI) are recognized by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and
Health Canada for their high performance and quality. Gowns that meet the standards
set by AAMI are rated Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 depending on the amount of protection they
provide. So what exactly is the difference between level 2 and 3 reusable AAMI isolation
gowns?

AAMI Level 2 reusable isolation gowns provide some resistance to the spray and
splatter of fluids. Following AAMI standards, they are tested on their ability to resist the
impact of water and their resistance against pressurized water. They can block fluids
significantly better than level 1 gowns and are used by healthcare workers in situations
where risk of exposure to fluids splatter is low, like when drawing blood or working in a
pathology lab. They are typically not suitable for use in sterile environments.
AAMI level 3 reusable isolation gowns provide moderate resistance to fluid splatter and
spray. The tests done on level 3 gowns are similar to those done on level 2 gowns and
the results show that level 3 gowns provide higher resistance against water impact and
pressurized water than level 2 isolation gown. Therefore they are more suitable in situations
where exposure to fluids is higher, like when drawing arterial blood, doing IV insertions
and working in trauma. They can be used in sterile environments, though level 4 gowns
are the more likely to be used.

Overall, the main differences between the level 2 isolation gown and 3 AAMI rated reusable isolation
gowns stem from their ability to resist fluids and protect against fluid-borne pathogens.
For situations in which the risk of contamination is low level 2 gowns are acceptable but
for situations where the risk is high level 3 gowns are preferred. Penguin Health offers
both level 2 and level 3 AAMI rated washable isolation gowns that have been
manufactures in Ontario and meet Heath Canada standards. As they are both reusable,
the materials used to manufacture these gowns are similar with small differences to
account for their difference in barrier protection levels. Both gowns have also been
shown to offer effective protection against respiratory droplets that can viruses, making
them essential during this pandemic. In general, the best way for healthcare workers to
decide which gown to choose is to asses the risk of exposure in each situation they
encounter and make an informed decision based on this information.

Tags:
, ,
Newer What is Level 3 ASTM? What are the differences between a level 2 & 3 ASTM surgical mask?
Back to list
Older What is Personal Protective Equipment PPE?

Related Posts

reusable isolation gown
30 Nov
Blog

How do you wash a reusable isolation gown properly?

How do you wash a reusable isolation gown properly?

The benefit of using a reusable isolation gown over a disposable one is that a reusable
gown can be used multiple times before needing to be replaced. It is important to know
the proper way to wash and sterilize reusable gowns to ensure that they continue to
provide effective protection against infectious diseases after every wash cycle.
Manufacturers often provide information on the proper washing techniques for their
products. Penguin Health is one such manufacturer that makes its AAMI-rated reusable
gowns in Ontario and provides detailed instructions for proper laundering procedures.

There are many factors to take into account when it comes to washing a reusable
isolation gown. Firstly, the gowns should be checked for any sharp objects that could
cause damage to the fabric before washing. Temperature is another factor that should
be taken into consideration at all steps of the washing process. Level 3 AAMI gowns for
example usually cannot handle temperatures exceeding 82ï‚°C and so they cannot be
ironed and must be washed and dried at lower temperatures. Gowns should also not be
exposed to high pressures or strong chemical detergents. In general, the gowns should
we washed in mild detergent under low or medium pressure and dried at a reasonably
low temperature to ensure that they are not damaged. After drying, gowns should be
cooled for an adequate amount of time and the promptly folded to prevent wrinkling.
The quality of the gowns should be checked regularly to ensure that their performance
is still reliable.

Why is it important to properly wash isolation gowns?

The purpose of an isolation gown is to protect the wearer’s body against potential
disease-carrying droplets and particulates. Healthcare workers are especially at risk of
being exposed to fluids and particulates that can cause infectious diseases. If a
reusable isolation gown isn’t washed correctly, it increases the risk of exposing the
wearer to those infectious diseases. Whether the gown isn’t fully sterilized during the
process or it is damaged at any point during the process, the effectiveness and the
useful life of the gown will decrease and it will have to be replaced much faster than if it
had been washed properly.

How many times can a reusable isolation gown be washed?

The number of times reusable gowns can be washed usually depends on the material of
the gown. If a gown is made of a more durable material it is likely to survive more wash
cycles without significantly compromising efficacy and quality. Modern AAMI-rated
reusable isolation gowns can be washed more than 100 times. The information on the
number of wash cycles that a gown can undergo should be given by the manufacturer.
Penguin Health offers two types of level 3 AAMI rated reusable isolation gowns: one
that can survive 100 wash cycles and one that can survive more than 150 wash cycles.

Reusable AAMI Level 3 Gowns
07 Sep
Blog

Reusable AAMI Level 3 Gowns

What Are AAMI Level 3 Reusable Isolation Gowns?

In order to get the best protection from exposure to potentially harmful agents, healthcare workers must ensure that the isolation gowns they choose as part of their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is effective and of high quality.

Reusable AAMI level 3 gowns are one of many types of reusable isolation gowns that have received the certification of a level 3 AAMI gown according to the standards set by AAMI. AAMI stands for the Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, an organization that produces international technical standards for a variety of medical devices, including isolation gowns.

Their standards are recognized by Health Canada for producing safe and high quality medical devices. According to the standards set by AAMI, isolation gowns can be categorized into 4 different barrier protection levels depending on the intended function of the gown.

At each increasing level, healthcare workers face situations and procedures that put them at more risk than at the level below. Therefore, at each level, the performance of the gown’s fluid barrier at its critical zones must be tested for its ability to resist potential fluid-borne hazards.

The critical zones are the areas of the gown are most likely to be exposed to fluids. Level 3 gowns are utilized by healthcare workers in moderate risk situations and are tested for their ability to resist impact by water and water pressure.

Compared to level 2 gowns, level 3 gowns provide better protection against a larger volume of splatter and fluid pressure. Level 1 gowns are used for minimal risk situations while level 4 gowns are used in situations where risk to viral infections are highest.

Level 3 gowns are used by healthcare workers that draw arterial blood, insert IVs, and work primarily in the emergency room, trauma, the burn unit and in the critical care unit.

Why Use AAMI Level 3 Reusable Isolation Gowns?

There are many factors that make reusable AAMI level 3 gowns beneficial to healthcare workers. Firstly, the standards set by AAMI for medical devices are recognized worldwide for the production of safe and high quality products.

Also, level 3 AAMI gowns offer better protection for a larger variety of medical procedures and situations than gowns that have a lower level rating. Finally, Penguin health AAMI level 3 gowns are reusable, which means they can be washed and sterilized for reuse multiple times before needing to be replaced.

Depending on the specifications given by manufacturers, reusable gowns can survive multiple wash cycles without compromise to safety and effectiveness.

Many healthcare facilities that are facing shortages as a result of the pandemic are opting to use reusable gowns to meet their needs because of their sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Reusable gowns are more environmentally friendly and save on costs as they create less waste and require less resources than disposable gowns.

Penguin Health offers reusable AAMI level 3 gowns that meet Health Canada and FDA standards for all AAMI standards, and are sourced and manufactured in Ontario, Canada.

    Leave a Reply