Gowning is the process of putting on specialized protective clothing to isolate the wearer's body from a clean environment. This typically involves layers of garments, covers, masks, and gloves.
Gowning is a crucial procedure in environments where maintaining a sterile or contaminant-free atmosphere is essential. This could include:
- Cleanrooms: Used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, and other industries where even microscopic particles can compromise product quality.
- Hospitals: Where gowning procedures help prevent the spread of infection between patients and healthcare workers.
- Laboratories: Where specific research requires a controlled environment free from external contamination.
The purpose of gowning is to minimize the introduction of particles and microorganisms shed by humans (skin cells, hair, etc.) into these sensitive areas. The specific garments and procedures used depend on the cleanliness level required of the environment.
Here's a breakdown of what gowning typically involves:
- Garments: Special suits, frocks, or coveralls designed to cover the body completely. These are made of materials that don't shed particles easily.
- Head and Facial Covering: Caps, hoods, beard covers, and masks to contain hair and prevent particles from the nose and mouth from entering the controlled environment.
- Footwear: Shoe covers or dedicated cleanroom shoes prevent contaminants from being tracked in.
- Gloves: Gloves protect both the clean environment from the wearer's hands and the wearer's hands from potential hazards.
The gowning process usually involves a specific sequence and technique to ensure that the garments are put on correctly and without contaminating them. Air showers are sometimes used to remove any remaining loose particles from the outside of the gown. Regular training on proper gowning procedures is essential to maintain the integrity of the clean environment.
