Clean-air suits

Table 5.7 General characteristics to be evaluated in surgical gowns, drapes, and clean air suits (EN 13795—1)...

The various benchmark values set by EN 13795 for surgical gowns, surgical drapes, and clean air suits are found in Tables 5.8—5.10, respectively. The industrial test methods, in addition to common strength tests (tensile, tear, and bursting), comfort, and absorbency, normally carried out on hospital protective textiles are presented in (Table 5.11). 

Performance requirements apply for all product areas of clean air suits, as clean air suits should be used in addition to... 

The need to enhance the infection-free environment in hospitals by using protective textiles and antimicrobial wound dressings that are discussed in this chapter would be a valuable subject for the reader to understand the multidisciplinary areas of medicine and smart textiles. The tests, standards, and benchmark values for surgical gowns, drapes, and clean air suits highlighted are a ready reference for the reader. 

BS EN 13795 2011+A1, 2013. Surgical Drapes, Gowns and Clean Air Suits, Used as Medical Devices for Patients, Clinical Staff and Equipment. General Requirements for Manufacturers, Processors and Products, Test Methods, Performance Requirements and Performance Levels. 

The proposed mandatory European Standard EN 13795 Surgical drapes, gowns and clean air suits, used as medical devices, for patients, clinical staff and equipment , developed by the Technical Committee (TC) 205 Workgroup (WG) 14, consist of three parts ... 

Clean-air suits are intended to minimise contamination of the operating wound by the wearer s skin scales carrying infective agents via the operating room air, thereby reducing the risk for wound infection. ... 

In this way, the aim of the presented study was to compare thermal properties between scrub and clean air suits. 

Disposable and reusable scrub and clean air suits were used in this study, Table 1. The clothing was stabilized in an adiabatic chamber before each test. 

Figure 4. Clo value of total thermal insulation of scrub and clean air suits (a) and statistically differences between clothing systems (b).

This study was performed to compare thermal properties between scrub suits and clean air suits made of woven and nonwoven fabric. Thermal manikins provide a good estimate of the total dry heat loss from the body and the distribution of heat flow over the body surface these measures were used to describe the thermal characteristics of clothing. Clothing thermal insulation differences are statistically significant (p < 0.5) which means the user will perceive thermal differences between scrub suits. Regarding to fabric thermal properties there is no suit with all ideal properties. 

Abreu, M.J. 2012. Prevention of airbone disposal from staff in the O.R. reducing the risk of infection What are the benefits of using clean air suits or scrub suits In HYGIENE, I.S.O.O.S.A. (ed.) International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene Guimaraes. 

Abreu, M.J. 2014. Suitable Control Choices. Exploring the roles of clean air suits and scrub suits in infection control. European Medical Hygiene Magazine, 21-27. 

DuPont Medical Fabrics, 2014. EN 13795 Understanding the European Standard—Surgical Gowns, Drapes and Clean Air Suits. 

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