Abstract: A coated barrier fabric for use in a reusable medical product (e.g., surgical gown, surgical drape, etc.) is provided and has two woven or knitted plies. Each of the two plies are coated on one side with a non-fluorine containing polymer and retain similar comfort and feel of uncoated woven or knitted fabrics. The coated sides of the plies face each other (i.e., inwardly) in the interior of the barrier fabric. Because of the orientation of the plies, the coated sides of the plies can come into direct contact with and move freely against each other within the interior of the barrier fabric. The coating on each of the plies is protected from exterior and environmental factors, including repeated institutional laundering/autoclave cycles, that could abrade and degrade the coating. Thus, the useful life of the reusable medical product including the barrier fabric is extended.

Abstract: Methods and test kits are provided for assessing effectiveness of an individual's hand cleansing technique. One method includes donning a glove on one hand and another glove on the other, which then are engaged for a desired period of time. The gloves are removed and the hands cleansed. Thereafter, a third glove is donned on one hand and a fourth glove on the other, which again are engaged. Alternatively or additionally, at least one fingertip on one hand optionally can be swabbed with a swab device to collect a sample from the fingertip, then the hands cleansed. At least one cleansed fingertip can be swabbed with a swab device to collect a sample. The gloves and/or test swab(s) can be sent to a lab and tested for a microbe presence to assesses effectiveness of an individual's hand cleansing technique. Kits can be provided to aid in carrying out said methods.

Abstract: A protective-apparel sleeve (10) includes a tubular inner piece (12) of membrane laminated or coated fabric and a tubular outer piece (14) of membrane laminated or coated fabric generally surrounding the tubular inner piece (12). In further detail, the tubular inner piece (12) includes a stitched seam (24) along its length, and the tubular outer piece (14) includes a stitched seam (26) along its length which is circumferentially offset from the seam (24) of the tubular inner piece (12). If desired, the stitched seams (24, 26) may be generally free of a seam sealant. The protective-apparel sleeve (10) and protective-apparel products incorporating the sleeve (10) have a significantly greater liquid-resistance than conventional stitched-seam protective-apparel sleeves and protective-apparel products incorporating such sleeves.