What is a Disposable Gown?

A disposable gown is a single-use protective garment designed to act as a barrier against contaminants, fluids, and infectious materials. It is commonly used in medical, laboratory, industrial, and food-handling environments where hygiene and safety are critical. Unlike reusable gowns, these are intended for one-time wear and disposal.

Types of Disposable Gowns

By Protection Level (Healthcare Standard – AAMI PB70)

Level 1: Minimal fluid protection – for basic care, standard isolation, visitor gowns.

Level 2: Low fluid protection – blood draw, suturing, ICU, pathology lab.

Level 3: Moderate fluid protection – arterial blood draw, ER trauma cases.

Level 4: Highest fluid & pathogen protection – surgery, high-risk infectious diseases.

By Design

Isolation Gowns – Loose-fitting, long sleeves, tied at the back.

Surgical Gowns – Sterile, reinforced front and sleeves, tighter fit.

Cover Gowns / Lab Gowns – For laboratories, food processing, or visitors.

Patient/Visitor Gowns – Lightweight, basic coverage, often open-back.

By Style

Open-back vs. full-back closure

Long-sleeved with elastic/knit cuffs vs. short-sleeved

Thumb loop gowns (to prevent sleeve roll-up under gloves)

Materials and Why

Polypropylene (PP, Spunbond nonwoven) – Lightweight, breathable, economical; basic dust & particle protection.

SMS (Spunbond–Meltblown–Spunbond) – Multi-layer nonwoven, stronger, with fluid resistance; widely used in medical gowns.

PE (Polyethylene Coated / Laminated Nonwoven) – Impermeable to liquids; used for higher fluid barrier needs.

Microporous Film Laminated Fabric – Breathable yet liquid-proof; used in chemical or infectious protection gowns.

Tyvek (HDPE material) – High strength, barrier against particles, some chemicals, and biological hazards.

Why:
Different materials are chosen depending on the balance between comfort (breathability) and protection (fluid & pathogen resistance).

Sizes and Use For

Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL (universal sizing often available, "one-size-fits-most").

Fit: Should cover torso, arms, and wrap around the back.

Users:

Medical staff (doctors, nurses, technicians)

Patients & visitors in hospitals

Lab workers handling biological/chemical samples

Industry workers in cleanrooms, food handling, or hazardous tasks

Applications

Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, dental offices, emergency response, isolation wards.

Surgery & Procedures: Protection against blood, fluids, and infectious material.

Laboratory: Handling biological specimens, chemical splashes.

Pharmaceutical & Cleanroom: Sterile production environments.

Food Industry: Preventing contamination in food processing.

Industrial Use: Painting, cleaning, light chemical handling, dust protection.

General Use: Visitors in restricted areas, epidemic outbreak response (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola).

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between isolation and surgical gowns?

Isolation gowns are mainly for infection prevention (not always sterile).

Surgical gowns are sterile and designed for use in operating rooms with higher protection.

Q2: Are disposable gowns waterproof?

Not all. Basic PP gowns are not; coated PE or SMS gowns can be fluid-resistant or fluid-proof.

Q3: Can disposable gowns be reused after washing?

No. They are designed for single-use only. Washing damages the barrier properties.

Q4: How are disposable gowns disposed of?

After use, gowns contaminated with infectious material should be disposed of as medical waste.

Q5: What's the difference between SMS and PE-coated gowns?

SMS: Breathable, comfortable, moderate-to-high fluid protection.

PE-coated: Impermeable, high-level liquid barrier, but less breathable.

Q6: How to choose the right gown?

Based on risk of exposure:

Low-risk: PP or Level 1 gowns

Moderate-risk: SMS, Level 2–3 gowns

High-risk (surgery, infectious disease): Level 4, PE-coated or film-laminated gowns