Title page for ETD etd-08242007-192417

Type of Document

Dissertation

Author

Cao, Wei

URN

etd-08242007-192417

Title

Factors Impacting the Liquid Penetration Performance of Surgical Gown Fabric

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Textiles and Consumer Science, Department of

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Rinn Cloud	Committee Chair
Emily Haymes	Committee Member
Kay Grise	Committee Member
Mary Ann Moore	Committee Member
Xufeng Niu	Committee Member

Keywords

Perspiration
Synthetic Blood
Temperature
Liquid Penetration
Pre-Wetting
Surgical Gown

Date of Defense

2007-08-02

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The barrier efficacy of protective surgical gowns has gained importance due to the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C viruses in the patient population. Most surgical gown fabrics are tested and categorized using standard laboratory conditions which are different from the conditions encountered in the surgical area. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) have published regulations that indicate surgical apparel should protect wearers ‘‘under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time [for] which it will be used’’ (Federal Register 56, p. 64177). This research examined factors influencing the liquid penetration of surgical gown fabric during use.

Two fabrics currently in common use for surgical gowns, a disposable material and a reusable material, were tested using AATCC 42 (the Impact Penetration Test) and AATCC 127 (Hydrostatic Pressure Test) called for in ASTM F2407 (Specification for Surgical Gowns Intended for Use in Healthcare Facilities). Variables in this study were ambient/fabric temperature, challenge liquid type, challenge liquid temperature, and wetness of fabrics.

Results indicated that ambient/fabric temperature, challenge liquid type and challenge liquid temperature did impact the liquid penetration of fabric. Increasing ambient/fabric temperature led to increases in liquid penetration of fabrics. Type of challenge liquid significantly influenced liquid penetration of fabrics, with higher penetration when fabrics were challenged by synthetic blood. There were also significant increases in liquid penetration of fabrics after pre-wetting the inner or outer surface of the fabric. The overall conclusion drawn from this study was that protective clothing materials need to be evaluated under normal condition of use; standard testing procedure may give a false measure of the protective performance of products when conditions of use vary from conditions in the test method.

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