Gowns
Last updated: 22 December 2021 at 08:21
Gowns are for sessional use and come in a number of types. They can be disposable or reusable theatre standard.
After the doffing of any gown please ensure a full arm wash is undertaken.
Disposable gowns
Plastic thumb looped gowns
- Plastic with thumb loops
- Fluid repellent
- Opened backed
- Sessional use – but short term use when possible and stocks of surgical gowns allow
- If the gown rides up the arm to reveal the wrist, please ensure hands and wrists are washed well when changing the outer apron and gloves
Surgical disposable gowns
- Normally theatre type disposable gowns – sterile or non-sterile
- Fluid repellent
- Completely enclosed back
- Sessional use
- If the gown rides up the arm to reveal the wrist, please ensure hands and wrists are washed well when changing the outer apron and gloves
Isolation gowns
- Slightly thinner than surgical type gowns
- Fluid repellent
- Back can be enclosed
- May have thumb loops, elasticated wrists or cuffs
- Sessional use
- If the gown rides up the arm to reveal the wrist, please ensure hands and wrists are washed well when changing the outer apron and gloves
- After doffing, a full arm wash should be undertaken as the seams are not sealed like a surgical gown
Coveralls
- Full body coveralls
- Fluid repellent
- Completely enclosed back
- May have elasticated wrists or cuffs
- Sessional use
- If the coverall rides up the arm to reveal the wrist, please ensure hands and wrists are washed well when changing the outer apron and gloves
- After doffing, a full arm wash should be undertaken as the seams are not sealed like a surgical gown.
Reusable theatre standard gowns
- Sessional use
- Prioritised for theatre use
- Reusable and should not be disposed. After use, they should be be sent back intact and undamaged for reprocessing:
- Gowns go into a red alginate bag and then into a green linen bag
- Scrubs go into a red alginate bag (if contaminated) and into a white linen bag
- Both bags are then disposed of into a cage for porter collection and not a yellow waste bin
- Please follow the above procedure as there have been issues with gowns going into waste bins, incorrect linen bags and ending up in the wrong place