In the modern medical environment, especially in the operating room, the Surgical Gown is an essential part of personal protective equipment (PPE), helping to protect both healthcare workers and patients from pathogens. One of the most common surgical gowns today is the SMS Surgical Gown (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond), made from a non-woven, three-layer material that offers a balance between durability, breathability, and fluid resistance. However, the question arises: Are medical staff really protected from patient pathogens?
What is SMS Surgical Gown?
Definition of SMS Surgical Gown
Surgical Gown is a type of medical protective clothing specifically designed to safeguard healthcare workers and patients during surgical procedures and medical interventions. SMS Surgical Gown is typically made from multi-layer non-woven fabrics, which offer water resistance and bacterial filtration to prevent infections and exposure to fluids such as blood and bodily fluids.
Importance of SMS Surgical Gown
The SMS Surgical Gown plays a crucial role in protecting healthcare workers and patients from pathogens in surgical environments. The gown not only prevents the penetration of fluids like blood and bodily fluids but also effectively filters bacteria and viruses. This significantly reduces the risk of cross-infection during surgeries, thereby safeguarding the health of both medical staff and patients. Additionally, the SMS Surgical Gown provides comfort and breathability for the wearer, which is essential during prolonged and stressful procedures. With these outstanding advantages, the SMS Surgical Gown has become an indispensable part of personal protective equipment in healthcare, enhancing safety and efficiency in medical care processes.
Structure and Characteristics of SMS Surgical Gown
Structure and Characteristics
The SMS Surgical Gown (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond) is constructed from three main layers, each playing a crucial role in providing protection and comfort for healthcare workers. The outer layer is made of spunbond polypropylene fibers, offering high durability and abrasion resistance, which helps block dust and microorganisms from the external environment. The middle layer, composed of meltblown fibers, features ultra-fine threads that effectively filter bacteria, viruses, and tiny particles, while also preventing the penetration of fluids such as blood and bodily fluids. The inner layer, also spunbond, provides a soft and comfortable feel for the wearer. The SMS Surgical Gown not only excels in fluid resistance and microbial filtration but also ensures breathability, allowing healthcare professionals to remain comfortable throughout surgeries. With its easy-to-use design and high durability, the SMS Surgical Gown has become a top choice for protecting the health of both medical staff and patients in modern healthcare environments.
Protection Levels
SMS Surgical Gown is classified into different protection levels based on its ability to block bacteria, viruses, and fluids, in order to meet safety requirements in medical environments. According to AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) standards, surgical gowns are typically divided into four levels, from Level 1 to Level 4. Level 1 provides minimal protection and is usually used in low-risk situations, while Level 4 offers the highest level of protection, ideal for high-risk surgeries or procedures involving large amounts of fluid exposure. Higher-level gowns generally have better fluid resistance and microbial filtration, significantly reducing the risk of infection and ensuring the safety of both healthcare workers and patients. Choosing the appropriate level of surgical gown is crucial to effectively meet the protective needs in various healthcare procedures.
Protective Capabilities of SMS Surgical Gown
Effectiveness in Fluid Resistance and Infection Prevention
One of the greatest advantages of SMS gowns is their superior fluid resistance. The middle meltblown layer not only prevents the penetration of fluids such as blood and bodily fluids but also helps filter microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, effectively blocking the spread of pathogens. This is especially important in surgical procedures, where the risk of exposure to blood and patient secretions is extremely high.
Bacterial and Viral Filtration Efficiency
The microbial filtration capability of SMS gowns, particularly at higher protection levels (Level 3 and 4) according to AAMI standards, has proven to be highly effective. The SMS layers can prevent the permeation of bodily fluids and filter microorganisms at a very high level, especially in surgical procedures with a high risk of infection. This significantly reduces the risk of transmission through secretions or blood, which are rich sources of pathogens such as bacteria and viruses (including HIV, Hepatitis B, and C) as well as other infectious diseases.
Durability and Breathability
In addition to its protective capabilities, SMS gowns offer excellent durability and breathability, ensuring that healthcare workers remain comfortable and do not overheat, especially when wearing the gown for extended periods. The SMS Surgical Gown is designed to be lightweight, allowing medical staff to move and perform tasks easily during surgeries. However, some studies indicate that if the SMS Surgical Gown is torn or used improperly, the risk of infection may still arise. This underscores the importance of using SMS Surgical Gown correctly and in accordance with established standards.
Potential Risks and Solutions
Relative Fluid Resistance
Although the meltblown layer effectively prevents the penetration of fluids, its protective capability may diminish when faced with large volumes of bodily fluids or blood, particularly during complex surgical procedures. In such situations, gowns rated at Level 3 or 4 are necessary to ensure optimal effectiveness.
Durability Depending on Usage Conditions
Despite its high durability, SMS Surgical Gown can still be torn or damaged when exposed to sharp objects or under significant pressure. This increases the risk of infection if the gown is not replaced promptly. To minimize this risk, healthcare workers should thoroughly inspect the gown before and during use.
Reusability
Although most SMS Surgical Gown are designed for single use, there are instances where reusing gowns may occur due to supply shortages. This practice diminishes protective effectiveness, as the gown’s fluid resistance and particle filtration capabilities decrease with each washing or sterilization.
SMS Surgical Gown: are medical staff really protected from patient pathogens?
The answer is yes, but under the condition that healthcare workers choose the correct type of SMS Surgical Gown with the appropriate protection level and adhere to proper usage procedures. SMS Surgical Gown levels 3 and 4 provide the best protection in high-risk situations. However, healthcare workers must also be aware of the limitations of SMS gowns and ensure they are inspected and replaced promptly when damaged.
Moreover, the SMS Surgical Gown is just one component of a comprehensive protection system. To minimize the risk of infection as much as possible, healthcare workers should also combine this with other protective measures, such as wearing masks, gloves, safety goggles, and following strict sterilization protocols.
Protect Your Safety with TM&DV 8688 Co., Ltd.
The SMS Surgical Gown by TM&DV 8688 Co., Ltd. is a top choice for protecting the health and safety of healthcare workers in surgical settings and situations requiring sterility. Made from SMS fabric—a three-layer material—it provides outstanding durability, water resistance, and protection against dust and bacteria. This ensures optimal protection for the wearer while offering comfort due to its high breathability, lightweight, and soft feel on the skin. The SMS Surgical Gown from TM&DV 8688 Co., Ltd. is a reliable choice for hospitals, clinics, and medical centers, especially as demand for health protection rises. With its effective waterproof material that still maintains breathability, the gown keeps the wearer comfortable throughout extended shifts. High durability and bacterial resistance make the SMS Surgical Gown an ideal product, meeting the highest safety standards in the healthcare industry. This is a sensible investment, enhancing the quality of protection and creating a safe environment for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
Conclusion
The SMS Surgical Gown is an effective protective solution widely used in healthcare due to its water resistance, bacterial filtration, and wearer comfort. However, selecting the right gown with the appropriate protection level and using it correctly are essential conditions for ensuring safety. While it cannot completely eliminate the risk of infection, the SMS gown significantly reduces the risk, especially in surgeries and high-risk medical environments. Therefore, the SMS Surgical Gown is one of the crucial protective tools that healthcare professionals can rely on, as long as it is used properly and in combination with other PPE such as Helmets, Safety goggles, Face shields, Welding masks, Surgical masks, Respirators, Earplugs, Safety gloves, Safety aprons, Coverall/Gown, Safety boots/shoes, Reflective vests, etc.
