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 for selection of a gown to be worn during a medical procedure according to a degree of barrier protection provided by the gown, comprising:
 providing a system of surgical gowns, the system having a plurality of surgical gowns with different degrees of barrier protection;   providing visible indicia on each of the gowns that indicates the degree of barrier protection of the respective gown, the visible indicia being different for different levels of barrier protection such that gowns in the system having different degrees of barrier protection have a different visible indicia; and   providing a listing of information on each independent gown that correlates all of the different visible indicia to the respective different degrees of barrier protection, the listing of information providing on each respective gown all of the different visible indicia and respective level of barrier protection associated with each visible indicia for all of the different gowns in the system such that a user of any one of the gowns is provided with an indication of the different degrees of protection available with other gowns in the system even when such other gowns are not visible to the user.   
   
   
       2 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the listing of information includes at least one of a listing of surgical procedures suited for each different level of barrier protection or expected fluid exposure levels for each different level of barrier protection. 
   
   
       3 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the listing of information is on an item removably attached to each of the gowns. 
   
   
       4 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein the listing of information also indicates the particular degree of protection of the respective gown to which it is attached. 
   
   
       5 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein the gowns are surgical gowns, and the listing of information is provided on a tie card attached to each of the surgical gowns. 
   
   
       6 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein the visible indicia on each of the gowns that indicates the degree of barrier protection of the respective gown is a color, with different colors corresponding to different degrees of protection provided by different gowns in the system. 
   
   
       7 . The method as in  claim 6 , wherein the gowns are surgical gowns, and the listing of information is provided on a tie card attached to each of the surgical gowns such that all of the different colors are provided on each tie card in a manner that also correlates each color to its respective degree of barrier protection. 
   
   
       8 . The method as in  claim 7 , wherein the different degrees of barrier protection are indicated pictorially on the tie cards such that a different pictorial representation of barrier protection is associated with each different color. 
   
   
       9 . The method as in  claim 6 , wherein the colored indicia is provided on a distinct portion of the gowns that is generally visible from all sides when the gown is donned by a user. 
   
   
       10 . The method as in  claim 9 , wherein the colored indicia is provided on at least one of a collar, cuffs, or tie string of the gowns.