Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-4 (of 4 Records) |
Query Trace: Selcen Kilinc-Balci F[original query] |
---|
Investigation of the barrier performance of disposable isolation gowns
Selcen Kilinc-Balci F . Am J Infect Control 2023 51 (12) 1401-1405 BACKGROUND: Recent epidemics and pandemics highlighted the need for effective personal protective equipment, including isolation gowns. The most critical property for an isolation gown is its ability to keep liquids and viruses from passing through the gown. Liquid and viral barrier penetration can be measured using laboratory test methods. AAMI PB70 standard defines isolation gown barrier performance levels and requirements. OBJECTIVE: Twenty two disposable isolation gown models from six manufacturers were tested for liquid and viral penetration resistance. METHODS: Standard test methods were used to evaluate water and viral penetration. Test results were evaluated using AAMI PB70 barrier performance criteria for four protection levels. RESULTS: Seven of the 22 tested gown models did not pass liquid and viral penetration testing based on AAMI PB70 at the level claimed by manufacturer. The majority of these failures occurred at the seam and/or tie attachment areas. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings underscore the need for improved processes surrounding activities such as premarket testing and post-market evaluation of gowns according to standardized test methods by third party laboratories. This study also supports the recent FDA guidance document that clarified the characteristics of isolation gowns considered to be class II and subject to FDA premarket review. Infection preventionists, hospital purchasers, and safety professionals should seek isolation gowns demonstrating conformance to industry standards from manufacturers. |
Evaluation of the physical performance of disposable isolation gowns
Selcen Kilinc-Balci F . Am J Infect Control 2023 BACKGROUND: The threat of emerging infectious diseases has highlighted the need for effective gowns to protect healthcare workers and patients. Although studies identified end user issues with the physical performance of gowns, the literature that evaluates the performance is scarce. This paper represents one of the first efforts to investigate the physical performance of a substantial set of isolation gown models in the marketplace. OBJECTIVE: Physical performance of 20 commercial and two experimental disposable isolation gowns was evaluated. METHODS: Standard test methods were used to investigate a range of properties including; thickness, weight, tensile strength, tearing strength, and seam strength. RESULTS: In general, due to the differences in the fibers and methods used for the construction, large variations in the tensile, tear, and seam strength results were found. When the gowns were compared to their respective AAMI PB70 protection levels, no clear trend was found between protection levels and tear strength or between protection levels and seam strength, while there was a linear relationship between gowns' AAMI PB70 levels and their tensile strength. It was found that fabric construction significantly affects the physical performance of gowns. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this work, a new standard, ASTM F3352, was published and has been recognized by the FDA. ASTM F3352 is expected to help end users in selecting the appropriate protective clothing. |
The impact of surface tension on the barrier performance of gowns and coveralls
Selcen Kilinc-Balci F , Kahveci Z , Yorio PL . Am J Infect Control 2023 51 (12) 1392-1400 BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) and laboratory workers who are routinely exposed to potentially life-threatening infectious diseases should wear protective clothing when anticipating contact with infectious materials. The most critical property for protective clothing is its ability to prevent liquids and viruses from passing through the garment. There are a number of potentially infectious liquids that workers may be exposed to during routine tasks. Each liquid has different physical and chemical properties that affect penetration. However, current test methods use a limited number of liquids for classifying the barrier performance. OBJECTIVE: The impact of the surface tension of the challenge liquid on the penetration resistance of gowns and coveralls was investigated in this study. METHODS: Eight isolation gowns and two coveralls were tested in accordance with AATCC 42 and AATCC 127 test methods, which were modified to incorporate the substitute challenge liquids. RESULTS: Although current standard test methods only use water to categorize liquid penetration resistance of minimal to moderate barrier performance gowns, a significant difference in the penetration was found when simulated body fluids were used. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest safety professionals and wearers should consider the varying barrier performance of PPE with different liquids and use limitations when selecting PPE for the required tasks. Furthermore, standard development organizations should consider multiple challenge liquids when classifying protective clothing for healthcare settings. |
Critical investigation of glove-gown interface barrier performance in simulated surgical settings
Kahveci Z , Selcen Kilinc-Balci F , Yorio PL . J Occup Environ Hyg 2019 16 (7) 1-9 The barrier properties of personal protective equipment are vital to healthcare personnel to protect themselves from possible infectious body fluids. Intraoperative exposure of healthcare personnel to body fluids can be substantial in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The glove-gown interface is known as one of the weakest points of the whole personal protective equipment system. However, there is a lack of scientific research designed to investigate the problem. This paper reports the results of experiments using a new testing methodology developed to quantify fluid leakage through the glove-gown interface while simulating surgical settings in terms of operating room personnel activities, exposure types, exposure durations, and physical stresses applied on the interface. This study represents one of the first efforts investigating the amount of fluid leakage through the glove-gown interface for a number of surgical gown and glove models while considering glove material differences and single vs. double gloving. The test results showed that there is a significant difference in fluid leakage amounts between three gown models and four glove models studied. The results also demonstrated that double gloving significantly reduced the fluid leakage compared to single glove use. The mean fluid leakage was lower in the double synthetic glove configurations (M = 2.76g) compared with all other configurations (3GLV, M = 8.3g; 4GLV, M = 9.49g; 5GLV, M = 3.08g; 6GLV, M = 20.03g; double latex, M = 5.22g). Findings highlighted a significant interaction between glove and gown designs, which suggests that gown and gloves should be designed together as a system to minimize or eliminate the fluid leakage. |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:May 06, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure