ECRI: Half of disposable isolation gowns don't pass muster

by A.J. Plunkett (aplunkett@decisionhealth.com) and John Commins (jcommins@healthleadersmedia.com)

Keep in regular contact with your supply chain and ensure they are checking the quality and integrity of supplies from nontraditional and foreign suppliers following an alarming report on disposable isolation gowns from ECRI, the nonprofit patient safety organization based in Pennsylvania.

More than half of disposable isolation gowns tested by ECRI failed to meet protection standards and could leave healthcare workers exposed to dangerous viruses, bloodborne pathogens, and other hazards, the safety research organization said in mid-November.

The results of the test evaluating 34 models of disposable gowns from foreign or nontraditional suppliers prompted ECRI to issue a high-priority hazard alert to warn healthcare organizations about its safety concerns.

Keep in regular contact with your supply chain and ensure they are checking the quality and integrity of supplies from nontraditional and foreign suppliers following an alarming report on disposable isolation gowns from ECRI, the nonprofit patient safety organization based in Pennsylvania. More than half of disposable isolation gowns tested by ECRI failed to meet protection standards and could leave healthcare workers exposed to dangerous viruses, bloodborne pathogens, and other hazards, the safety research organization said in mid-November.