Personal Protective Equipment – Using Gowns
Purpose
To guide the use of gowns.
Objectives
To prevent the spread of infections;
To prevent soiling of clothing with infectious material;
To prevent splashing or spilling blood or body fluids onto clothing or exposed skin; and
To prevent exposure to the HIV (AIDS) and hepatitis B (HBV) viruses from blood or body fluids.
Equipment and Supplies
Disposable gowns; or
Clean and laundered gowns when disposable gowns are not used.
Miscellaneous
Use gowns only once and then discard into an appropriate receptacle inside the exam or treatment room.
Clean reusable or disposable gowns may be worn in most circumstances.
Use gowns only when indicated or as instructed.
Follow established handwashing procedures.
Reusable gowns shall be laundered after each use in accordance with established laundry procedures.
When use of a gown is indicated, all personnel must put on the gown before treating or touching the resident.
Gowns shall be large enough to cover all of the wearer’s clothing and they must be tightly cuffed at the sleeves.
After completing the treatment or procedure, gowns must be discarded in the appropriate container located in the room.
If blood or another potentially infectious material penetrates a garment(s) (e.g., gown, apron, lab coat, etc.), the garment(s) must be removed immediately or as soon as possible.
Soiled gowns must not be worn in break rooms, lobbies, or into any area in which contamination of equipment is likely to occur.
Procedure Guidelines
Putting on the Gown
Wash hands
Obtain the gown (disposable or reusable).
If long sleeves are being worn, roll the sleeves above the elbows.
Unfold the gown so that the opening is at the back.
Put your arms into the sleeves of the gown.
Fit the gown at the neck.
Secure at the neck (tie or Velcro).
Overlap the gown at the back. Be sure clothing is completely covered.
Secure at the waist (tie or Velcro).
Removing the Gown
Remove gloves and wash hands.
Untie/unfasten the back of the gown.
Untie/unfasten the neck band. While still holding the neck strings, pull the gown off the shoulders.
Remove the gown by rolling it away from the body. Handle the inside of the gown only.
Fold the outside (contaminated portion) of the gown inward and roll the gown into a bundle.
If the gown is disposable, discard it into the waste receptacle inside the room. If the gown is reusable (washable), discard it into the soiled laundry container inside the room.
Wash hands.
If a mask was used during the procedure(s) or service, remove it at this time and discard it into the waste receptacle inside the room.
Wash hands.
Reference
State Operations Manual. (2023). Appendix PP: Infection control: F880