Medical protective clothing is available in a variety of forms and materials, each with specific characteristics designed to protect healthcare workers from different hazards. The most common types of medical protective clothing include gloves, gowns, face shields, masks, and respirators.
Gloves: Gloves are worn to protect healthcare workers from contact with bodily fluids and other hazardous materials. They are made from a variety of materials, including latex, nitrile, and vinyl, and are available in different sizes and thicknesses.
Gowns: Gowns are worn to protect healthcare workers from contact with infectious materials. They are available in different materials, such as polypropylene and polyester, and are designed to be fluid-resistant.
Face shields: Face shields are worn to protect healthcare workers from splashes and sprays of infectious materials. They are made from materials such as polycarbonate and can be used with or without a mask.
Masks: Masks are worn to prevent the transmission of airborne particles, such as droplets and aerosols. They are available in different types, such as surgical masks and N95 respirators, and are made from materials such as polypropylene and polyester.
Respirators: Respirators are worn to protect healthcare workers from airborne particles, such as dust, smoke, and infectious agents. They are available in different types, such as N95 respirators and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), and are made from materials such as polypropylene and polyester.