Transmural surgical gown pressure measurements in the operating theater

Transmural gown pressures encountered when the surgeon comes into contact with a patient were measured in the operating theater. The surgical gown industry has assumed these pressures to be less than 5 psi in testing the efficacy of the gown and drape barrier material to impede bacterial transmission through its pores. In this study, pressure-sensitive contact film and resistive strain gauge recordings made from the surgeon's abdominal region and forearms indicated peak contact pressures in excess of 60 psi. This report indicates a need to reassess the basis of test utilization in evaluating barrier materials used in gowns and drapes.