Existing surgical gowns; impact of laundering on tensile strength test results

Textiles perform as an interface between the body and environment. In the new generation of textiles, this potential of textiles is being utilized to provide the resistance not only against weather but also against micro-organisms and collision forces etc. the type of weave has a strong impact on its physical properties. Type of weave also affects the suitability of the material end use. According to a study by Behera plain weave is more suitable for surgical apparels in comparison with twill weave because of large pores between two adjoining yarns on intersection. Fabric construction parameters determine the strength of the fabric. Parameters are: mass per unit area, number of threads per unit length, maximum force using the strip method, and yarn count [yarn number]. A fabric with high thread count does not allow the microorganisms to pass through a fabric than a fabric having low/less count. Different Surface finishes help to decrease the bacterial growth on the surface of fabric. Plasma coated Non-woven samples are better repellent of pathogens than re-usable woven fabrics. All surgical attire has to meet some given standards for tensile strength which dictates the rate of wear and tear that will affect the required properties. The thought behind this study was to evaluate and compare the tensile strength of existing surgical gowns among the groups. 1] To find out the Tensile Strength of existing surgical gown fabric before and after laundering [among three groups of hospitals]. 2] To compare the results of Tensile Strength of existing surgical gowns [among three groups of hospitals] being used in hospitals of Lahore. The study has experimental design. March 2011- March. 2012. Samples of fabric used for making surgical gowns were collected from different hospitals of Lahore and evaluated for Tensile Strength before and after laundering at Textile Lab. On the whole a decreasing trend was observed for tensile strength in all 3 groups of hospitals from 0 to 20[th] laundering. Group B of hospitals showed lowest tensile strength observation whereas the highest value was observed in group A of hospitals. The lowest observation for tensile strength was found in Group B of hospitals whereas in group C the highest value was observed it's clear that fabrics of group B showed lowest tensile strength rating in test results for both warp and weft directions. Whereas group A of hospitals showed highest tensile strength test results among the groups in warp and in weft group C showed high results

Iron deficiency anemia; prevalence in children of Lahore

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in children of Lahore

Study Design: Cross sectional survey

Setting: Hospitals in different areas of Lahore

Period: 3 months

Methodology: A total sample of three hundred and sixty children was taken from different areas of Lahore. Simple random sampling technique was used. Data collection was done by using a cross sectional survey. An informed consent was taken from the parents of children selected for including in the study and using their data for research purpose. The complete demographic information like name, age, sex, address was obtained. Venous blood samples were obtained for analysis of their hemoglobin [Hb] level. All the data collected was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 20

Results: A total of 360 children were selected for the study. The mean age of respondents was 9.87 +/- 2.67. Among all subjects there were 158[43.89%] male and 202 [56.1%] were female patients. The mean Hb in all subjects was 9.82 +/- 3.46. The overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 224[62.2%]. Among anemic patients there 101 [45%] male and 123 [55%] female patients in this study, we found no significant association between anemia and gender, p-value >0.05

Conclusion: Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is considerably higher in children of Lahore under study. We should take some defensive measure to cope with it as mathematical deficiency affect children's health, mental and physical activities

Comparison of pore size analysis of existing and experimental surgical gowns

Majority of the public and private sector hospitals are using reusable gowns and scrubs whereas only a few hospitals are using disposable ones. Protection during surgery is very important both for the patient as well as for the surgeon. The reasons are not only hygienic but also creating a barrier so that the bacteria and the viruses do not transfer from patient to doctor and vice versa. The surgical gowns have been in use for many decades. With the advancements in the field of manufacturing [weaving and finishing], the quality of gowns has been improving over the period of time. In Pakistan, there is no awareness yet regarding the construction of surgical apparels viz. surgical gowns and scrubs so no standards are being followed as such during the manufacturing [weaving and finishing] of surgical apparels. For effective barrier function of surgical gowns and scrubs, it is necessary for them to comply with certain standards in terms of physical characteristics viz. mass per unit area, number of threads per unit length, tensile strength etc. The idea behind this study was to evaluate the physical characteristics of surgical gowns and scrubs currently being used in different public sector hospitals of Lahore. [1] To evaluate the pore size of existing and experimental surgical gowns being used in different hospitals of Lahore. [2] To compare the pore size analysis of existing surgical gowns with experimental surgical gowns. Experimental study design was used. January 2014- April 2014. Samples of fabric used for making surgical gowns and scrubs were collected from different hospitals of Lahore and evaluated for pore size with the help of optic microscope. For experimental gowns the fabric was developed according to the international standards. Pore size of surgical gowns was measured with the help of scanning electron microscope. The results showed large pores in existing surgical gown. No length or width wise pores in the experimental surgical gowns fabric except there are tiny holes of 0.5 after 20 launderings. The existing reusable surgical gowns did not offer any resistance against bacterial penetration because of large pores. The fabric used for the existing surgical gowns was not up to the mark and did show large pores under microscope. The experimental surgical gown showed no pores in the fabric structure when subjected to scanning electron microscope. The functional ability of resistance against bacterial penetration of the surgical gowns is important because the risk of SSI. If the patient develops SSI weather it is grades 1, 2 or 3, the cost is significant. The cost effectiveness of the existing reusable surgical gowns becomes insignificant as none of the existing surgical gowns offer any resistance against bacterial penetration and the risk of SSI with subsequent treatment cost. Necessary guidelines can be formulated and proposed to the concerned departments of various hospitals, in the light of which they can design some specifications and select appropriate materials for surgical apparels in future

Impact of laundering on bacterial penetration in surgical gowns

The objective of this study was to compare the mean bacterial penetration% in surgical gowns at different laundering cycles which were used in three different categories of Hospital. Fifty, locally available reusable surgical gowns were collected from all the major teaching hospitals of Lahore as sample. Samples were analyzed and compared against international standards. Samples were tested at different laundering cycles [after 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 washings]. The gowns were laundered at Mayo hospital laundry services. The surgical gowns were subjected to multiple laundering cycles. The bacterial penetration test was performed at Microbiology Lab., PCSIR [Pakistan Council of Scientific and lndustrial Research] Laboratories Complex, Lahore. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 16 versions and for comparison Repeated measurement ANOVA was used. A p-value less or equal to 0.05 will be considered as significant. Overall the mean +/- S.D penetration of bacteria in all samples was as under, at 0 Washing [86.47 +/- 2.91%], 5th washing [91.53 +/- 1.72%], 10th washing [95.60 +/- 0.91%], 15th washing [08.53 +/- 0.34%] and at 20th washing [99.47 +/- 0.13%]. While comparing on different laundering intervals or times the penetration of bacteria [%] was statistically increased from 86.47 +/- 2.91% to 99.47 +/- 0.13%, p-value 0.001. When studied for change in porosity after laundering reusable surgical gowns set up of hospitals in Pakistan resulted in increased porosity and hence more penetration of bacteria across the fabric used for manufacture of surgical gowns. The loss of barrier effect of surgical gown is further compounded by lack of standardization of laundering technique, infra-structure use of improper detergent and other cleaning agents. This loss of fabric characteristics results in more bacterial contamination of surgical wound risk of infection to the patient.

Surgical apparels comparison of some physical parameters

Around the world, majority of the public and private sector hospitals are using reusable gowns and scrubs whereas only a few hospitals are using disposable ones. Protection during surgery is very important both for the patient as well as for the surgeon. The reasons are not only hygienic but also creating a barrier so that the bacteria and the viruses do not transfer from patient to doctor and vice versa. The surgical gowns have been in use for many decades. With the advancements in the field of manufacturing [weaving and finishing], the quality of gowns has been improving over the period of time. In Pakistan, there is no awareness yet regarding the construction of surgical apparels viz. surgical gowns and scrubs so no standards are being followed as such during the manufacturing [weaving and finishing] of surgical apparels. For effective barrier function of surgical gowns and scrubs, it is necessary for them to comply with certain standards in terms of physical characteristics viz. mass per unit area, number of threads per unit length, tensile strength etc. The idea behind this study was to evaluate the physical characteristics of surgical gowns and scrubs currently being used in different public sector hospitals of Lahore. After which, necessary guidelines can be formulated and proposed to the concerned departments of various hospitals, in the light of which they can design some specifications and select appropriate materials for surgical apparels in future. 1]. To evaluate the physical characteristics of surgical apparels [gowns and scrubs] currently being used in different public sector hospitals of Lahore. 2]. Comparison of results with existing/available performance requirements. Experimental study design. April 2010-June 2010. Samples of fabric used for making surgical gowns and scrubs were collected from different hospitals of Lahore and evaluated for different fabric properties viz. mass per unit area, construction analysis [number of threads per unit length] and tensile properties in accordance with EN and ISO standards, in standard atmosphere for testing textiles. The results obtained were compared with the available international standards and limited research studies done in the area of surgical apparels yet. It was found that none of the samples collected meet the minimal requirements available yet. So, there is a dire need of some minimal criteria of surgical apparels for the safety of the patients as well as of the health care personnel