Method of selecting or identifying a surgical gown

Abstract

A method and related system are provided for selecting a gown to be worn during a medical procedure according to a degree of barrier protection provided by the gown. A plurality of surgical gowns are provided having varying degrees of barrier protection. Each of the gowns is marked with visible indicia that indicates the degree of barrier protection of the respective gown. A comprehensive listing of information is provided on each of the gowns that indicates the different degrees of protection and corresponding indicia for all the gowns.

1 . A method of selecting a gown to be worn during a medical procedure according to a degree of barrier protection provided by the gown, comprising: 
 providing a plurality of gowns having varying degrees of barrier protection;    marking each of the gowns with visible indicia that indicates the degree of barrier protection of the respective gown; and    providing comprehensive listing information on each of the gowns as to the different degrees of protection and corresponding indicia for all the gowns.    
   
   
       2 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the listing information is on an item removably attached to each of the gowns.  
   
   
       3 . The method as in  claim 2 , wherein the listing information also indicates the particular degree of protection of the gown to which it is attached.  
   
   
       4 . The method as in  claim 2 , wherein the gown is a surgical gown, and the listing information is provided on a tie card attached to each of the surgical gowns.  
   
   
       5 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the visible indicia on each gown indicating the degree of barrier protection of the gown is a color, with different colors corresponding to different degrees of protection.  
   
   
       6 . The method as in  claim 5 , wherein the gown is a surgical gown, and the listing information is provided on a tie card attached to each of the surgical gowns such that all of the different colors are provided on the tie card in a manner that also correlates each color to its respective degree of barrier protection.  
   
   
       7 . The method as in  claim 6 , wherein the different degrees of barrier protection are indicated pictorially on the tie cards.  
   
   
       8 . The method as in  claim 6 , wherein the indicia color is provided on a distinct portion of the gown that is generally visible from all sides when donned by a user.  
   
   
       9 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the indicia color is provided on the gown collar.  
   
   
       10 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the indicia color is provided on the gown cuffs.  
   
   
       11 . The method as in  claim 8 , wherein the indicia color is provided on the gown tie string.  
   
   
       12 . The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one additional comprehensive listing of information of the barrier protection offered by all of the gowns and corresponding indicia at a centralized remote location.  
   
   
       13 . The method as in  claim 12 , wherein the remote listing of information is provided in chart or poster form at a location where the gowns are donned by users.  
   
   
       14 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the listing information is indicated on an item removably attached to the gowns and also indicates the particular degree of protection of the gown to which it is attached, said method further comprising collecting the removed items post-procedure and using the items for analysis or accountability of the gowns used for a particular procedure.  
   
   
       15 . A system for selecting a gown to be worn during a medical procedure according to a degree of barrier protection provided by the gown, comprising: 
 a plurality of surgical gowns having varying degrees of barrier protection;    visible indicia on each said gown that indicates the degree of barrier protection of said respective gown; and    a listing of information provided on each of said gowns as to the different degrees of protection and corresponding indicia for all of said gowns.    
   
   
       16 . The system as in  claim 15 , wherein said listing of information is on an item removably attached to each of said gowns.  
   
   
       17 . The system as in  claim 16 , wherein said listing of information also indicates the particular degree of protection of said respective gown to which it is attached.  
   
   
       18 . The system as in  claim 16 , wherein said gowns are surgical gowns, and said listing of information is provided on a tie card attached to each of said surgical gowns.  
   
   
       19 . The system as in  claim 15 , wherein said visible indicia on each said gown indicating the degree of barrier protection of said gown is a color, with different colors corresponding to different degrees of protection.  
   
   
       20 . The system as in  claim 19 , wherein said gowns are surgical gowns, and said listing of information is provided on a tie card attached to each of said surgical gowns such that all of said different colors are provided on said tie cards in a manner that also correlates each said color to its respective degree of barrier protection.  
   
   
       21 . The system as in  claim 20 , wherein the different degrees of barrier protection are indicated pictorially on said tie cards.  
   
   
       22 . The system as in  claim 20 , wherein said colored indicia is provided on a distinct portion of said gowns that is generally visible from all sides when said gown is donned by a user.  
   
   
       21 . The system as in  claim 20 , wherein said colored indicia is provided on at least one of a collar, cuffs, or tie string of said gowns.