Medical gowns are the covers worn by healthcare providers to create a barrier between them and the patients affected with infectious diseases. Apart from the microbes, these gowns protect the wearer from dirt, airborne particles, splashes of blood, as well as other bodily fluids, etc. Considering their extensive need, both disposable vs reusable medical gowns are available in the market. But the buyers often ask which ones are better.
Disposable vs reusable medical gowns are an essential part of personal protective equipment
In this article, let us make a comparison between disposable vs reusable medical gowns to answer the said question. In addition, some of the top-quality medical gown brands have also been linked for the buyer’s ease.
Disposable Medical Gowns
Between the disposable vs reusable medical gowns, the former ones are single-use items as the name suggests. These are constructed using breathable fabric that effectively prevents infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens present in blood or other body fluids. These have the following pros and cons:
“In the US, almost 80% of the medical gowns employed in healthcare facilities are disposable.”
Pros
- Disposable medical gowns are lightweight and allow the wearer to remain comfortable during extended periods of use.
- Being disposable, these medical gowns save a lot of time as there is no need to clean them after every use. Thus, the cost of cleaning the PPE is also saved along with the risky process of doing so.
Cons
- Between the disposable vs reusable medical gowns, the disposable ones are not strong enough to last longer. These are often constructed using multi-ply that is effective against germs but not firm enough to tolerate washing necessary for reuse.
- As disposable medical gowns are for single use only, these add to the already massive medical waste that needs proper handling and disposal.
Disposable medical gowns are single-use items which are discarded after one employment
Reusable Medical Gowns
Reusable medical gowns are products that can be used again and again until there is a need to replace them. These products are advantageous because of the multiple employments they offer given that they are washed after every use. These products have the following benefits and limitations:
Pros
- Reusable medical gowns are made up of fabric that is long-lasting and washable. Most of these products are prepared using 100% polyester which is a strong material that offers longevity.
- Reusable medical gowns, because of being cloth-based, restrict the entry of pathogens more effectively as compared to disposable products.
- As reusable medical gowns are to be purchased once and last for several months, these are overall more economical as compared to disposable medical gowns.
- Because of the strength and neat knitting of the polyester, reusable medical gowns do not allow any fluid to leak into the wearer’s clothes after crossing the gown material.
- Between the disposable vs reusable medical gowns, the reusable ones help reduce the overall medical waste.
- The carbon footprint left by the reusable medical gowns is much lower which makes them environment-friendly items.
Cons
Despite their several advantages, reusable medical gowns have an issue of thinning after consecutive washes. This has been proven by a study that has reported that the polyester employed for the construction of reusable medical gowns significantly thins after 50 washes. As a result, the resistance of the material against the microbial entities is also lowered which puts the healthcare providers at risk of getting infected.
Medical gowns are also used by medical technicians as part of the infection control strategy
Disposable vs Reusable Medical Gowns: Which Are Better?
When a comparison is drawn between disposable vs reusable medical gowns, the latter appears to win. This is because reusable medical gowns are to be bought once followed by multiple uses in their lifetime.
Moreover, between the disposable vs reusable medical gowns, the reusable products are also cost-effective as there is no need to constantly buy a lot of gowns. However, the choice, as always, narrows down to the user as convenience and budget both need to be considered.
Some medical gowns are sterile and thus increase the protection of the healthcare staff
Disposable vs Reusable Medical Gowns at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Medical gowns are the covers that protect healthcare providers from the infectious agents present in the respiratory droplets of diseased patients. These droplets carry the pathogenic organisms that can transmit the infections.
Owing to their high demand, both disposable vs reusable medical gowns are manufactured and marketed by several brands. Some of the top-quality disposable vs reusable medical gowns are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
41735 Halyard Aero Blue Performance Surgical Gown, Size 2XL 28CS
US$224.26
Product Details
41735 Halyard Aero Blue performance surgical gowns are the products that have been classified as level 3 medical gowns by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). This means that these medical gowns effectively restrict the possible exposure to blood as well as other body fluids.
Moreover, the product is also considered fit for employment in healthcare by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1670. Between the disposable vs reusable medical gowns, these 41735 Halyard Aero Blue performance surgical gowns are constructed using highly breathable and well-ventilated material. The knitting is low-spaced which enables the fabric to effectively restrict the moderate to high concentration of fluids.
Furthermore, these 41735 Halyard Aero Blue performance surgical gowns come in sterile form and are to be unpacked just before wearing them prior to surgery. In addition, the product also has Raglan sleeves which allow the wearer to move freely while remaining comfortable throughout the wear period. Similarly, the neckline of these Halyard medical gowns can also be adjusted. To increase user convenience, a sterile towel is also provided with the product.
DYNJP2306P Prevention Plus Sterile Surgical Gowns with Breathable Film
DYNJP2306P Prevention Plus Sterile Surgical Gowns with Breathable Film
US$170.00
Product Details
DYNJP2306P Prevention Plus sterile surgical gowns are constructed using a breathable fabric that has wide cutouts at the neck region for easy and quick donning. In addition, the shoulders as well as chest area are also highly comfortable because of being roomy thus enhanced freedom of movement can be enjoyed.
Moreover, these DYNJP2306P Prevention Plus sterile surgical gowns are also constructed in a way that sweat and other moisture can escape from the body of the wearer into the air. On the contrary, any kind of fluid cannot cross the gown to come inside. This renders wearing the gown easy even during warmer months.
Furthermore, these DYNJP2306P Prevention Plus sterile surgical gowns also have a breathable film-based material that keeps the gown secure from all directions. Overall, between several disposable vs reusable medical gowns, these DYNJP2306P Prevention Plus sterile surgical gowns are light in weight and highly comfortable.
Graham Medical 222 3-Ply Tissue Exam Gown, 30″ Width, 42″ Length, Blue (Pack of 50)
US$19.88
Product Details
Graham Medical 222 3-Ply tissue exam gowns are personal protective equipment (PPE) that are 30″ in width and 42″ in length. Their employment during patient examination is a must as it ensures that the risk of cross-contamination is near zero.
Moreover, these gowns are also constructed using three layers of tissue that not only keep them breathable but also lighter in weight. These Graham Medical 222 3-Ply tissue exam gowns come in blue and each pack contains 50 pieces at the price mentioned above.
In addition, these Graham Medical 222 3-Ply tissue exam gowns are very soft and do not irritate the skin by causing itching or redness. The product also has a pebble pattern on it that allows added ply adhesion to further improve the strength of rugged material strength.
Furthermore, these Graham Medical 222 3-Ply tissue exam gowns have the dimensions 15.51 x 12.99 x 12.01 inches and their weight is around 8.9 pounds. These gowns can be worn by people from all age groups as the waist belt size is around 42 inches.
Graham Medical AmpleWear Patient Gown – Blue 40″ x 50″ 50756
US$117.88
Product Details
Graham Medical AmpleWear patient gown – blue 40″ x 50″ 50756 is a product that has a size of 40″ x 50″. These are suitable to wear during medical examination as the product offers comfort as well as modesty. These medical gowns can be worn by patients from all age groups and sizes as they can accommodate up to 9X sizes.
Moreover, these Graham Medical AmpleWear patient gowns are constructed using a linen-based material that is opaque in appearance so that the skin underneath does not show from the outside. As the material is non-woven, it is not coarse in appearance and, therefore, does not cause skin irritation.
In addition, the armholes and the neckline of these medical gowns are roomy and, that’s why, keep the wearer comfortable throughout the wear time. As for the IV accommodation, these Graham Medical AmpleWear patient gowns can easily carry IV hook-ups. To offer great mobility, the product also has telemetry pockets with cord slits that allow easy device placement.
Furthermore, these Graham Medical AmpleWear patient gowns also have an easy-to-use front opening waist tie closure that allows the wearer to secure the gown in place to achieve modesty. A single pack of these Graham Medical AmpleWear patient gowns comes with 25 gowns at the above-mentioned price.
Graham Medical 65334 Disposable Full Back Non-Woven ISO Gown, 30×46″, Blue CS50
US$64.99
Product Details
Graham Medical 65334 disposable full back non-woven ISO medical gowns are products that are disposable and highly effective when it comes to preventing the wearer from microbial entities. The coverage is ample as the gown protects the neck and arms area effectively.
These Graham Medical 65334 disposable full-back non-woven ISO medical gowns are constructed using a non-woven fabric that is highly breathable and lightweight making them comfortable to wear for longer. In addition, the product also allows the sweat to escape from the body, especially during the summer months.
Moreover, these Graham Medical 65334 disposable full-back non-woven ISO medical gowns have a width of up to 30 inches along with a length of up to 46 inches. This way, the product offers a suitable size for individuals with all body shapes and sizes. The blue color of the gown also promotes visibility and allows quick identification.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Medical gowns are worn during major surgeries to reduce the risk of infection transfer
The disposable vs reusable medical gowns mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check different kinds of disposable vs reusable medical gowns.
Conclusion
Medical gowns are the covers that are to be worn by healthcare providers to protect themselves from infectious entities while working in a healthcare facility. These act as a barrier that is made up of materials strong enough to resist the fluid influx.
While comparing the disposable vs reusable medical gowns, it should be kept in mind that the reusable option is considered better in comparison to the disposable ones. This is because of their repeated use, strong construction, easy washing, as well as affordable cost. However, the users should decide on a suitable product based on their convenience.
As gowns are a necessity in the healthcare sector, both disposable vs reusable medical gowns should be purchased in bulk and stored to meet the never-ending demand. For purchasing disposable vs reusable medical gowns of different brands, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655320309299
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
