Medical Gowns, Surgical Gowns, Surgical Isolation GownsSurgical gowns, isolation gowns, surgical isolation gowns, nonsurgical gowns, procedural gowns, and operating room gowns are all members of the same family of products that offer protection against the transfer of microorganisms and particulate material. Depending on the level of protection of the product, they may be used for anything from janitorial work to being worn by visitors to healthcare providers changing dressings.The FDA’s approach to the term is one more based on a four-tiered protection level as opposed to its name. According to the FDA website:

• Level 1: Minimal risk, to be used, for example, during basic care, standard isolation, cover gown for visitors, or in a standard medical unit
• Level 2: Low risk, to be used, for example, during blood draw, suturing, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or a pathology lab
• Level 3: Moderate risk, to be used, for example, during arterial blood draw, inserting an Intravenous (IV) line, in the Emergency Room, or for trauma cases
• Level 4: High risk, to be used, for example, during long, fluid intense procedures, surgery, when pathogen resistance is needed or infectious diseases are suspected (non-airborne)
• Reusable Gowns: Reusable gowns are typically fabric gowns that are disinfected and laundered prior to re-wearing. Depending on the specific type of gown and its protection level (e.g. surgical versus isolation versus patient, etc.), it may have a limited number of wearing and cleaning cycles before it must be disposed of. These are typically made of woven fabrics like cotton or modern synthetic fibers.
• Single-Use Gowns: These gowns are disposed of after every use. While disposable gowns allow healthcare providers to avoid time consuming and potentially costly laundering services, their limited lifecycle means supplies must constantly be replenished and significantly higher medical waste. As a general rule, disposable gowns tend to be made of nonwoven polymers and/or films.