Hospital Gown Protects Against Bacteria

A new hospital gown could protect patients against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other hospital-based bacteria.

The new patient gown has a wrap-around design with maximum cover-up, but with carefully placed closures that facilitate access to the patient's body for examination and gown changing. The result is less patient handling, which reduces the chances of infection spread between patient and hospital worker. The antibacterial component of the new gown is called Permagard, a silicon polymer that covalently bonds with the fibers of the selected fabric. Unlike many anti-microbial coatings that kill bacteria with chemical poisons, Permagard uses physical stealth. On contact with a bacterium, Permagard rips through the invader's cell wall and annihilates it. The physical attack means bacteria are unable to develop a resistance like they could against a substance. Field trails followed by microbiological testing have shown that Permagard is still effective after 100 washes at 85ºC.

Researchers at University College London Hospital (London, UK) will test the gown in a clinical trial involving about 30 patients; participants will remain in an intensive care unit (ICU) for eight weeks, and both patients and staff will undergo medical tests to count the number of bacteria on the gown.

"I'm thrilled that my design is being used for the trial. I designed the gown to promote patient dignity, comfort, and safety, but I'm delighted that it might help prevent the spread of diseases like MRSA,” said the gown's designer Fatima Ba-Alawi. Ms. Ba-Alawi created the gown design while a student at the University of Portsmouth (UK), which caught the attention of Carrington Career & Workwear (Adlington, UK), manufacturer of Permagard.


Related Links:
University College London Hospital
Carrington Career & Workwear