The Difference Between Isolation and Surgical Gown

Many surgeons wear a surgical gown during operations or procedures to protect the clothing, skin, and other equipment from blood stains and other bodily fluids. The gowns are often white to differentiate them from the rest of the operating room (OR) environment. Isolation is the practice of keeping certain individuals away from others so as not to infect others with diseases or germs. An isolation ward is an example of this type of facility. Surgical gowns are designed to keep surgeons clean during operations by preventing any contaminants from getting on their clothing, skin, and operating tables. It’s important to understand the differences between these two practices so that you can choose the right one for your OR environment. Read on to learn more about what isolation and surgical gowns are, their differences, and when it might be best for you to use each one in your OR setting.


Isolation Gowns
Isolation gowns are designed to keep surgical staff, patients, and medical equipment, including scrubbing brushes and other supplies, clean. They are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material that is typically white. The gowns are absorbent at the front of the gown to prevent fluids from getting on anyone else’s skin. They are also designed with a gusset and sash that help to seal off the wearer from splashes of blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. Hospitals and healthcare facilities typically have separate gowns that are only used for purposes of infection control. All gowns are supposed to be worn outside of the patient’s room, even if patients aren’t present. However, in some cases, the gowns are only used in the patient’s room, particularly if there are no visible contaminants.


Surgical Gowns
The type of surgical gowns that are typically used in healthcare settings is absorbent black polyvinyl chloride (PVC) garments. These gowns are designed to keep medical staff, patients, and medical equipment, including scrubbing brushes and other supplies, clean. They are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material that is typically black. The gowns are absorbent at the front of the gown to prevent fluids from getting on anyone else’s skin. They are also designed with a gusset and sash that help to seal off the wearer from blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. Hospitals and healthcare facilities typically have separate gowns that are only used for purposes of infection control. All gowns are supposed to be worn outside of the patient’s room, even if patients aren’t present. However, in some cases, the gowns are only used in the patient’s room, particularly if there are no visible contaminants.

Differences Between Isolation and Surgical Gowns
There are several key differences between isolation gowns and surgical gowns, including the types of materials they are made of, their intended uses, and how they are cared for.

- Absorbent vs. non-absorbent: The absorbent properties of the material in surgical gowns make them ideal for trapping and holding bodily fluids, including blood. However, they are not usually considered to be non-absorbent gowns, because they are still made of a material that can absorb fluids.

- Absorbency: The next difference between isolation and surgical gowns is in their absorbency levels. Isolation gowns are typically considered to be non-absorbent, while surgical gowns are typically absorbent.

- Color: In addition, surgical gowns are typically made of a black, PVC material, while isolation gowns are typically made of white, non-absorbent material.

- Sash vs. no sash: Finally, surgical gowns are typically sewn with a sash that helps to seal off the wearer from bodily fluids, while isolation gowns are not likely to have a sash.


Which Type of Surgical Gown is Best for Healthcare Workers?
Both isolation and surgical gowns have the same goal: to keep a healthcare worker clean during an operation or procedure. However, surgical gowns may be more appropriate for healthcare workers who don’t typically wear regular attire, such as nurses and other healthcare employees who are working in the OR wearing scrubs. Isolation gowns are designed to prevent fluids from getting on your skin, while surgical gowns are designed to keep you clean while also protecting your clothing, skin, and other equipment. The surgical gown that is appropriate for you will depend on the type of operation you are performing. For example, you might use surgical gowns for certain procedures, like those for cardiac or General Surgery, or for procedures that involve the skin, like dermatology, or plastic surgery.
  

Conclusion
Isolation gowns are designed to keep surgeons clean during operations by preventing any contaminants from getting on their clothing, skin, and operating tables. Surgical gowns are designed to keep medical staff, patients, and medical equipment, including scrubbing brushes, clean. The gowns are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material that is typically black. The gowns are absorbent at the front of the gown to prevent fluids from getting on anyone else’s skin. They are also designed with a gusset and sash that help to seal off the wearer from blood, urine, or other bodily fluids. Hospitals and healthcare facilities typically have separate gowns that are only used for purposes of infection control. All gowns are supposed to be worn outside of the patient’s room, even if patients aren’t present. However, in some cases, the gowns are only used in the patient’s room, particularly if there are no visible contaminants.