What is it?
A Medical Protective Coverall is a full-body disposable garment designed to protect healthcare workers from biological hazards, infectious fluids, and cross-contamination.
It covers the entire body, including arms, legs, torso, and often includes a hood, elastic cuffs, and ankles.
Used in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and epidemic outbreak situations.
Also referred to as isolation coveralls or biohazard protective suits.
Material
Medical protective coveralls are typically made from high-barrier materials, including:
| Material Type | Properties & Use |
|---|---|
| SMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond) | Moderate liquid and particle resistance, breathable; suitable for general healthcare and lab use |
| Microporous Laminates | High barrier protection, liquid-proof, particle-proof, moderate breathability; ideal for handling infectious fluids |
| PE-coated Nonwoven | Waterproof and chemical splash-resistant; less breathable, for high-fluid exposure |
| Tyvek® / HDPE | Very high barrier protection, tear-resistant; often used in high-containment labs or epidemic response |
Why these materials:
Prevent exposure to blood, body fluids, and pathogens
Reduce cross-contamination between patients, staff, and environment
Enable single-use disposal to maintain hygiene
Key Features
Full-body coverage: Torso, arms, legs, hood
Front closure: Zipper, often covered with storm flap for added protection
Cuffs & Ankles: Elastic to prevent exposure
Hood: Optional but common for high-risk situations
Optional Features: Anti-static, breathable microporous layers, color-coded sizes
Purpose
Protect healthcare workers from infectious fluids and pathogens
Prevent cross-contamination in clinical and laboratory environments
Provide hygienic single-use garments to maintain infection control
Used during surgery, patient care, outbreak control, lab work, and cleaning infected areas
Advantages
High Barrier Protection: Guards against infectious fluids, aerosols, and particles
Single-use: Reduces risk of contamination and laundering needs
Full-body Coverage: Includes torso, arms, legs, and sometimes head and feet
Comfortable Options Available: Breathable SMS or microporous fabrics reduce heat stress
Professional & Safe: Complies with medical PPE standards (ISO, EN, or ASTM)
Limitations
Cost: Higher than basic disposable coveralls due to barrier performance
Limited Reuse: Designed for single-use
Heat Retention: Fully sealed suits can be hot during prolonged wear
Chemical Limitations: Some medical coveralls are not resistant to strong industrial chemicals
Applications
Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, ICUs, emergency rooms, infectious disease wards
Laboratories: Pathology, microbiology, molecular biology labs handling infectious samples
Epidemic & Pandemic Response: Ebola, COVID-19, or other outbreak containment
Biohazard Cleaning & Decontamination: Waste management, disinfecting contaminated surfaces
Pharmaceutical Production: Areas requiring contamination control and high hygiene
Sizes & Fit
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, sometimes one-size-fits-most
Fit: Loose to allow clothing underneath, elastic cuffs at wrists/ankles, optional hood
Users: Doctors, nurses, lab technicians, cleaning staff, inspectors in medical areas
FAQs
Q1: How is a medical protective coverall different from a standard disposable coverall?
Medical coveralls are specifically designed to meet PPE standards for infection control, with high fluid and particle resistance, whereas standard disposable coveralls are mostly for dust, dirt, or light splash protection.
Q2: Are they waterproof?
Most are liquid-proof or splash-resistant, especially PE-coated or microporous versions; some SMS suits are splash-resistant but not fully waterproof.
Q3: Can they be reused?
No, they are single-use to maintain hygiene and safety.
Q4: Are there standards for medical protective coveralls?
Yes, common standards include:
ISO 16603 / ISO 16604 – Resistance to blood and viral penetration
EN 14126 – Protective clothing against infectious agents
ASTM F1670 / F1671 – Synthetic blood and viral penetration tests
Q5: Can they be used outside healthcare?
Yes, they are sometimes used in biotech labs, pharmaceuticals, and industrial decontamination, but primarily designed for medical and infection control use.
