Evaluation Of Properties Of Disposable/Reusable Surgical Gowns

Disposable and reusable textiles are two popular but competing materials employed in medical protective filed.The selection of two materials involves many complex nexus of functional properties,culture,economic and environmental factors. Integrated assessment of surgical gowns is rare.Based on investigations and experiments,we compare and analyze properties, use,management and disposal of gowns.This research is donated to establish the models of medical textiles.Gowns require barrier,physical,comfortable and other properties.This paper analyzes the function design of gowns.We test 4 reusable gowns:woven cotton materials,rechargeable biocidal function polyester/cotton woven materials,and 9 disposable gowns:spun-bond polypropylene(laminated with or without plastic films), SMS(Spun-bond,Meltblown,Spun-bond),water-repellent treated laminate disposable textiles of pulps and polyester,polyester and PVA with water resistant, physical,comfortable properties testing.Meanwhile we analyze the surface structure of these gowns by SEM.The result shows that disposable gowns have better water resistant and less comfortable properties than reusable gowns.Among disposable gowns,the heavier weight gowns have denser fabric structure and better water resistant.Water-repellent treated laminate disposable gowns are well permeable to air and moisture.We give the subjective evaluation of gowns and compare with the experiment results.Environmental impact is considered during gowns laundry and disposal.Gowns are washed by hospital laundry department or commercial laundry facility.Discarded gowns are incinerated by specialized treatment center.In view of harmless,waterless laundry and reusable nonwoven fabrics is developed.Economic benefit and hospital management model influence gowns market. Price is primary factor to select gowns materials.Gown Price = purchasing costs + use costs + disposal costs + inventory costs.Comparison of two materials reveals that the price of disposable gowns is 2.5 times that of reusable gowns in single use. Hospital socialization management covers medical textiles such as gowns,patient clothing,surgery room textiles providing services of gown purchasing,laundering (sterilization) and recovery.Leasehold and contract model of reusable textiles begin to enter Chinese market.Low price and professional service is a development trends of hospital management.This paper also gives some rationalization proposals to gowns use and its market.