Infection Prevention and Control Statement on the use of micro-fiber gowns as a barrier
Infection Prevention and Control
October 31, 2006
Providence Health Care
Infection Prevention and Control
Statement on the use of micro-fiber gowns as a barrier
Providence Health Care (PHC) Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) is currently involved in a review of gowns used to provide barrier protection to staff at PHC. The review was initiated as a result of concerns expressed by staff and leaders that polyester-cotton gowns may not provide adequate barrier protection against blood and body fluids exposures.
Currently, two types of reusable gowns are available for barrier protection to PHC staff: polyester-cotton gowns and micro-fiber gowns. The design of both types of barrier gowns meets Health Canada (HC) (1), and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) (2), recommendations for coverage of a gown used for barrier protection. Polyester-cotton gowns, however, are absorptive, and when challenged with moisture or body fluids may not provide a fluid resistant barrier. The lack of fluid resistance may place staff using polyester-cotton gowns at greater risk to being exposed to blood and body fluids.
Micro-fiber gowns provide the same coverage recommended by HC and APIC, while offering superior fluid resistance properties to polyester-cotton.
PHC IPAC is recommending the use of micro-fiber gowns as a barrier gown in all situations that require Standard and Transmission Based Precautions. In the weeks to come, polyester-cotton gowns will be replaced with micro-fiber gowns used for patient care and for Standard and Transmission Based Precautions.
References
Health Canada. Infection Control Guidelines: Routine Practices and Additional Precautions for Preventing the Transmission of Infection in Health Care. Canada Communicable Disease Report. July 1999, Vol. 25S4. p141.
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology. 2nd Edition. January, 2005 Washington D.C. Sect. 39, p20-21.
Jim Curtin, RN, BScN,CIC
Infection Prevention and Control Nurse
Providence Health Care,