Evaluating operating room gowns: Comparing comfort of nonwoven and woven materials

Abstract

Wearer comfort is an important consideration in the performance of materials used in operating room (O.R.) gowns. The purpose of this research is to scientifically assess and compare the comfort properties of nonwoven and woven materials used for this important application. This study combined two levels of investigation necessary for comprehensive comfort performance analysis: 1) Quantitative measurement of comfort related physical properties of test swatches using highly sensitive specialized instrumentation adapted to human response levels, and 2) a statistically significant subjective human subject garment comfort study. The data from these separate measures were integrated to identify the underlying material reasons for differences in comfort performance. Measurement was accompanied by concurrent subjective response assay to verify actual threshold sensitivity of the subjects to the instrumentally measured values.