Level 1
- Used in MINIMAL risk situations.
- Provides a slight barrier to small amounts of fluid penetration.
- A single test of water impacting the surface of the gown material is conducted to assess barrier protection performance.
Use Settings:
Basic care, standard hospital medical unit.
Level 2
- Used in LOW risk situations.
- Provides a barrier to larger amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and some fluid exposure through soaking.
- Two tests are conducted to assess barrier protection performance:
- Water impacting the surface of the gown material;
- Pressurizing the material.
Use Settings:
Blood draw from a vein, suturing, intensive care unit, pathology lab.
Level 3
- Used in MODERATE risk situations.
- Provides a barrier to large amounts of fluid penetration through splatter and more fluid exposure through soaking than Level 2.
- Two tests are conducted to assess barrier protection performance:
- Water impacting the surface of the gown material;
- Pressurizing the material.
Use Settings:
Arterial blood draw, inserting IV, emergency room, trauma.
Level 4
- Used in HIGH risk situations.
- Prevents all fluid penetration for up to 1 hour.
- May prevent VIRUS penetration for up to 1 hour.
- In addition to the other tests conducted under Levels 1-3, barrier level performance is tested with simulated blood containing a virus. If not virus is found at the end of the test, the gown passes.
Use Settings:
Pathogen resistance, infectious diseases (non-airborne), large amounts of fluid exposure over long periods.