Choosing Your Gown: A Closer Look At PPE Gowns Carried By CovCare

CovCareCOVID-19CoronavirusGownsPPEMedical Supplies

Aug 17

CovCare offers a variety of protective gowns for healthcare professionals so they can choose the appropriate gown for their work needs.

Selecting a non-surgical or surgical gown just became easier thanks to the help of CovCare.

From choosing between premium-quality gowns, to better understanding which material is best used to protect you from the spread of infection or illness, and how disposable gowns can prevent the wearer from transferring microorganisms, CovCare provides PPE gowns that are both FDA registered and CE Certified.

Non-surgical gowns are Class I equipment intended to protect the wearer from the transfer of body fluids in low or minimal risk patient isolation situations. Non-surgical gowns are not worn during surgical procedures, invasive procedures, or when there is a medium to high risk of contamination.

A surgical gown is regulated by the FDA as a Class II medical device. A disposable surgical gown is a personal protective garment intended to be worn by healthcare personnel during surgical procedures to protect both the patient and healthcare professionals from the transfer of microorganisms, body fluids, and particulate matter.

The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards are designed to help medical-device companies meet global standards for the safe use of medical devices. The AAMI gown classification stems from four levels of barrier performance, measured accordingly with the following standardized tests:

Level 1 - Minimal risk (during basic care, standard isolation, cover gown for visitors, or in a standard medical unit).
Level 2 - Low risk (during blood draw, suturing, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or a pathology lab).
Level 3 - Moderate risk (during arterial blood draw, inserting an Intravenous (IV) line, in the Emergency Room, or for trauma cases).
Level 4 - High risk, (during long, fluid intense procedures, surgery, when pathogen resistance is needed or infectious diseases are suspected, non-airborne).

Although most people won't need surgical gowns or disposable gowns with higher levels of protection for everyday use, we decided to make all levels of gowns available online at CovCare. We know that there are many smaller medical centers and dental offices that aren't being prioritized right now by state and federal agencies when distributing PPE, and we want to help fill that need for smaller quantity orders.

PP Gowns (Polypropylene Gowns) - AAMI Level 1

Used for minimal risk situations
Provides a slight barrier to small amounts of fluid penetration
Single test of water impacting the surface of the gown material is conducted to assess barrier protection performance.

SMS Surgical Gowns (AAMI Level 2)

"SMS" stands for Spunbond Meltblown Spunbond. This is a type of nonwoven fabric that combines spunbond and meltblown fabrics.

When SMS material is created, it has great water repelling capabilities. This is why manufacturers choose to use SMS material in things like facemasks, parts of baby diapers, sanitary napkins, and janitorial coveralls for example. It’s also used for caps, gowns, beddings, and other hospital accessories.

Description of AAMI Level 2 Gowns:

Used in low risk situations
Provides a barrier to larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and some fluid exposure through soaking
Two tests are conducted to assess barrier protection performance:- Water impacting the surface of the gown material- Pressurizing the material.
Common uses: drawing blood from a vein ; Suturing ; Intensive care unit ; Pathology lab

SMS Surgical Sterile Gowns (AAMI Level 3)

Used in moderate risk situations
Provides a barrier to larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and more fluid exposure through soaking than Level 2
Two tests are conducted to test barrier protection performance:
- Water impacting the surface of the gown material
- Pressurizing the material

Our Level 3 gowns are sterile and packaged individually.

CPE Gowns / CPE Isolation Gowns (AAMI Level 3)

Thumb Loop CPE Gowns provide great protection, save time and keep sleeves from sliding up. Thumb loop CPE Gowns have an apron-style neck, so gowns can be removed quickly. The standard thumb loop gowns are an economical option, and provide protection against high levels of fluid.

CPE stands for chlorinated polyethylene
High-level fluid protection
Apron-style neck enables gown to be placed on and off quickly
Thumb loop style wrists keep sleeves from sliding up when putting on gloves

Our CPE gowns are AAMI Level 3.

If you are looking to place a large wholesale order, CovCare guarantees the best price and will beat any vendor's quote. We accept POs from hospitals and governments.