What is the difference between disposable and reusable isolation gowns?

Isolation gowns used by healthcare workers as part of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be either disposable or reusable. Disposable isolation gowns are single-use gowns that must be properly disposed of after use. They are typically made with non-woven fabrics, such as non-woven polypropelene, and plastic films. Reusable gowns can be used multiple times after being washed and sterilized. Reusable gowns must be disposed of after they have been washed a certain number of times. The gown’s fluid protection barrier is sustained for a certain number of wash cycles, which is specified by the manufacturers and depends on the level of barrier protection provided by the gown. They are typically made with woven fabrics such as polyester blend. Despite these differences, the standards are the same for both types of gowns and gowns must meet these Health Canada approved standards to be certified for distribution. Therefore, they both provide the same level of protection from potentially hazardous fluids. Order your reusable and disposable isolation gowns from Penguin health.

Which type of isolation gown is better?

Previously, healthcare facilities had primarily opted for the use of disposable isolation gowns as they are the less expensive choice. However, there has recently been a shift towards the usage of reusable gowns over disposable due to increasing evidence that suggests that reusable gowns are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run. Disposable gowns create a lot of waste because they have to be disposed of and replaced after each patient encounter. The cost of disposing of this waste often surpasses the cost of laundering and sterilizing reusable gowns. The waste created by disposable gowns can end up in landfills and also have a negative impact on the environment.

Modern Level 3 AAMI reusable isolation gowns are more environmentally friendly because they are manufactured sustainably, produce little solid waste and have been shown to reduce carbon emissions produced by healthcare facilities in the long run. Recent advances in laundering technology have led to the development of washing techniques that save on water consumption. Making the switch to reusable gowns can also help healthcare facilities save on the costs related to waste disposal. The reusability and sustainability of reusable isolation gowns make them a commodity, especially in light of this ongoing pandemic. The AAMI rated reusable gowns at Penguin Health have been manufactured locally here in Ontario, Canada and meet Health Canada & FDA standards for their high quality and standards.

 

To Order your level 3 reusable/washable gowns head over to Penguin Health.

 

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Reusable AAMI Level 3 Gowns
07 Sep
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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.

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