Q. Explain Barrier techniques - Protective clothing?

Protective outerwear is worn to reduce exposure to debris in spatter. Clinic jackets should have long sleeves, a high neck, and elasticized cuffs. Outerwear should be tidy and professional in appearance: ironed, buttons or snaps all in place, and buttoned fully.

In all cases, clothing must be changed daily, although clothing that has become visibly soiled must be changed immediately. Contaminated clinical wear is taken home in a plastic bag and laundered using a high temperature cycle (60-70°C) with a normal bleach concentration followed by machine drying (100°C or more), (or dry cleaned) and pressed.

Use of disposable gowns may be considered when performing surgical procedures and treating known carriers of infectious diseases (e.g. HIV positive and HBsAg positive patients). This is done to protect the person or persons performing the laundry.

Following patient care, surgical gowns and protective clothing is considered contaminated. Because of this, it is not to be worn outside of the clinic environment in lectures, leisure or eating areas. If contaminated clothing cannot be changed, wear a clean lab coat over top as a second choice. Because there is no simple way to tell which clothing is contaminated, once placed, all outerwear is considered contaminated.