The Four Levels of Protection
Medical gowns are referred to by the four levels of protection available, and it can be somewhat confusing to know which medical gown is right for your needs. The FDA recognizes guidelines from the American National Standards Institute/Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AAMI) which specify tests and results necessary to verify and validate that gowns provide specific levels of protection.
The differences between the four levels of protection will be briefly discussed
Level 1:Minimal risk
These gowns provide a slight barrier against fluids but aren’t suitable for blood draws, ICUs, or pathology labs.
to be used, for example, during basic care, standard isolation, cover gown for visitors, or in a standard medical unit, they do not require sterile gowns.
Level 2: Low risk
Medical gowns with level 2 protection are ideal for low-risk circumstances like blood draws from veins or work in pathology labs and ICUs and don’t require sterile gowns. These gowns can block more fluid than level 1 gowns and are effective against fluid penetration that might occur through splatter or soaking.
Level 3: Moderate risk,
Gowns with level 3 protection are ideal for moderate risk scenarios such as blood draws from arteries, inserting IVs, and ER or trauma work which require sterile gowns and equipment. These gowns are also effective against splatters and soaking.
Level 4: High risk,
Level 4 gowns offer the highest level of protection available and are used for all high-risk circumstances (e.g. during surgery in an operating room that requires sterile equipment). These heavy-duty gowns can prevent fluid and virus penetration. They offer pathogen resistance, protection against non-airborne diseases, and work as a barrier to large amounts of fluids for extended periods of time.
How to Pick the Right Medical Gown
Selecting the correct level of medical gown depends on the protection needed for the circumstances. For example, in routine patient care in a hospital setting, non-sterile, disposable isolation gowns, are appropriate.
☆ When the risk of bodily fluid exposure is minimal, gowns that have low levels of barrier protection (ANSI/AAMI Level 1 or 2) can be used.
☆ For situations where medium to high risk of contamination and need for a large critical zone of protection is needed, gowns ANSI/AAMI Level 3 or 4 can be used.
It’s essential to have a successful PPE strategy in place. Medical gowns are critical to keeping employees, medical personnel, patients, and the community safe, especially from infectious liquids.
Stay Informed and Be Safe
Icon Medicals is committed to offering the best quality and affordable medical gowns to ensure our community and workplace are safe. We encourage everyone to review the safety protocol on our website.
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