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7 Choose comfort. A comfortable gown is a functional gown. Besides breathability, consider the ergonomics of gown textiles and construction during on-the-job trials for the best fit. Lightweight, flexible, soft and non-abra- sive materials are easy to wear, while generous sizing offers freedom of movement. Sufficiently long sleeves with cuffs that grip gloves will prevent one mid-procedure inconvenience. And a gown made from quiet, non-glare material is a lot less annoying to work in and around. 6 A breathable barrier. While levels indicate a gown's effectiveness as a protective barrier, breathability is essential to a wearer's comfort. Many products are made from multiple layers of non-woven fabric, microporous textiles and air-permeable films in different combina- tions that let heat and vapor escape without allowing the entry of fluid. 5 Strength under pressure. Manufacturers may assess and report a gown material's resist- ance to tearing and puncture through a range of standard mechanical tests, including the grab test for breaking strength and elonga- tion, the diaphragm bursting strength tester and the Elmendorf tear test, in which higher ratings equal stronger materials. Surgical gown material should also be resistant to abrasion under nor- mal use, whether it's dry or wet, and the material should be low-linting or lint-free to prevent contamination of the ster- ile field and surgical site. 4 Suiting the need. It's incumbent upon facilities to supply, and providers to choose, gowns that offer appropriate levels of protection for the cases at hand given the anticipated exposure to blood, bodily fluids and other potentially infectious materials. Outfitting staff in Level 4 gowns for every procedure is unnecessary (and cost-inefficient), particularly if they include such low-fluid cases with minimal blood loss as cataract surgery, ENT and laparo- scopic hernia. On the other hand, staff who find impervious gowns warm and uncomfortable and opt for lightweight gowns in arthroscopic, joint replacement or open abdominal surgeries are putting themselves at risk. M A R C H 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 9 3 9