Isolation gowns come in washable and disposable versions, and only the washable kind is reusable. Washable isolation gowns are made to be laundered after each use and worn again, while disposable isolation gowns go in the trash after one patient.
Reusable isolation gowns make sense for a clinic that has a laundry plan, an inspection routine, and clean storage. Without all three in place, disposables are the safer bet.
Key Takeaways:
- Isolation gowns protect staff and patients from the spread of germs and body fluids during patient care.
- The FDA describes four barrier levels, from minimal risk to high risk.
- CDC says washable gowns are usually polyester or polyester-cotton and can be laundered after each use.
- A reusable gown is never worn twice before it’s laundered.
- Inspect, mend, or retire gowns on a schedule, and store clean gowns where they stay clean.
What do isolation gowns do?
An isolation gown is a cover worn over scrubs or clothes to block germs and fluids during patient care. A patient gown, the one a person changes into for an exam, is a different medical gown altogether. The FDA’s page on medical gowns splits isolation gowns into two groups. Surgical isolation gowns are for medium to high risk of contamination and need a larger protected area. Non-surgical isolation gowns are for low or minimal risk isolation situations and aren’t worn during surgical or invasive procedures.
On paper, the FDA treats the two groups differently too. Surgical isolation gowns are Class II medical devices that need a 510(k) premarket notification. Non-surgical isolation gowns are Class I and exempt from premarket review.
Isolation gown levels explained
The FDA page lays out four AAMI levels from the PB70 standard, each matched to a risk level:
- Minimal risk at Level 1, for basic care, standard isolation, a cover gown for visitors, or a standard medical unit.
- Low risk at Level 2, for a blood draw, suturing, the ICU, or a pathology lab.
- Moderate risk at Level 3, for an arterial blood draw, inserting an IV line, the emergency room, or trauma cases.
- High risk at Level 4, for long, fluid-intense procedures, surgery, and suspected non-airborne infectious diseases.
Match the gown to the task, since a Level 1 cover gown isn’t built for a procedure where fluid is expected.
Reusable vs disposable isolation gowns
Washable gowns are usually made of polyester or polyester-cotton fabric, according to CDC guidance on isolation gowns. CDC says those gowns can be safely laundered after each use under routine procedures. The FDA page adds that cloth gowns not used in a sterile field can be reused if they’re laundered in enzymatic detergent or per the facility’s standard operating procedures.
With disposable isolation gowns, you trade laundry for supply: you buy cases, store them, and throw each gown away after a single use. Reusable gowns reverse the math, with fewer gowns bought up front and ongoing costs for laundering, inspection, and replacement.
Weigh these factors before you choose:
- How many gowns your team uses on a heavy day.
- Whether you have laundering arranged and a way to prevent cross contamination between soiled gowns and clean stock.
- Storage space for cases of disposables vs a shelf of folded reusables.
- Staff time to check gowns for holes, worn spots, and missing ties.
- Trash volume, since every disposable gown is thrown out after one use.
There’s no set number of washes in CDC guidance for how long isolation gowns are good for. The guidance says to replace a gown when it’s thin or ripped, so wash life comes down to the fabric and how hard your team uses the gowns. Ask the gown maker for its rated wash life and track washes against it.
How to care for washable isolation gowns
CDC’s guidance for healthcare facilities covers a few habits:
- Never wear a reusable gown a second time before it’s laundered.
- Bag a visibly soiled gown for laundering right away.
- Inspect gowns on a routine basis and make small repairs, like mending a small hole or replacing a missing tie.
- Retire gowns that are thin or ripped.
- Store laundered gowns so they stay clean until use.
Soiled gowns need the same care as any soiled textile. Our guide on how soiled linen should be handled covers bagging, transport, and keeping dirty items away from clean ones. For the rest of the clinical wardrobe, see how to wash scrubs and wash a lab coat.
Laundry help for clinics and practices
OrangeBag’s laundry programs for medical and dental offices cover patient gowns, exam room linens, lab coats, scrubs, and towels. Soiled items are sorted and separated from general linens, never run through one shared cycle, and anything short of standard is rewashed. Pickup and delivery run up to six days a week.
If your clinic is weighing a switch to reusable isolation gowns, which aren’t on that list, raise it on the quote call. OrangeBag agrees specific handling requirements in writing during onboarding.
FAQ
Are isolation gowns reusable?
Yes, if they’re the washable kind, which can be laundered after each use. Disposable gowns go in the trash after one patient. Each reusable gown goes back to the laundry after every wear, and staff inspect it on a schedule. Mend small holes or missing ties, and retire any gown that turns thin or torn.
What are isolation gowns made of?
CDC says washable medical isolation gowns are typically polyester or polyester-cotton fabric. The fabric alone doesn’t tell you which FDA barrier level a gown meets, though. Check the product label or spec sheet for each gown style before you place an order.
Are isolation gowns sterile?
Gowns worn for routine patient care generally aren’t used in a sterile field. The FDA notes that non-surgical isolation gowns aren’t worn during surgical or invasive procedures. Surgical isolation gowns are a separate Class II category. If a procedure needs a sterile gown, use one labeled for that purpose.
Are isolation gowns waterproof?
Fluid protection varies with the gown’s AAMI level, from minimal risk at Level 1 to high risk at Level 4. Pick the level that matches the fluid exposure you expect, and check the label on any gown before staff wear it for a procedure.
Want gowns and linens off your staff’s plate?
Every hour your team spends at a washer between appointments is an hour away from patients. Tell OrangeBag what your practice uses in a week, and you’ll see your rate and handling terms in writing before anything is signed.
