Front Opening Isolation Gown

Abstract

A personal protective equipment (PPE) isolation gown is provided that can be used by workers in the healthcare industry. The isolation gown has a front opening configuration and is further designed with fasteners that facilitate ease of adjustment and donning and removing without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, particularly to the hair on the head or neck of a wearer, and also is relatively more efficient to manufacture, thereby providing a cost-effective alternative to various styles of currently available isolation gowns.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to healthcare apparel and, more specifically, to personal protective equipment (PPE) isolation gowns such as for use by workers in the healthcare industry.

BACKGROUND

Isolation (or precaution) gowns are identified as the second-most-used piece of PPE, following gloves, in the healthcare setting. The isolation gown is intended to protect healthcare patients and personnel (e.g., doctors and nurses) from the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, body fluids, and/or particulate material. The gown generally covers the torso and clothing of a wearer acting as a physical barrier against the transfer of such microorganisms and other materials.

Isolation gowns should facilitate easy donning and doffing (removal) without self-contamination by the wearer. The isolation gown also should not restrict the movement of the body and should be breathable and comfortable to wear. Many different types of isolation gowns are currently available to healthcare workers with varying protection levels. But all isolation gowns in the market at present are of a rear opening or non-opening/overhead style. Certain of the rear-opening styles have attempted to resolve concerns with so-called “overhead” and “three armhole” gown styles, which tend to have greater fabric utilization and, thus, manufacturing costs and can be cumbersome to don and/or remove generally, thereby increasing the risk of self-contamination by the wearer.

However, issues still persist with rear opening gowns as well. For example, while preferred rear opening embodiments attempt to utilize a system of closures including backside neck and/or waist ties that are designed to simplify donning and removal of the gown and help provide “full body” protection for the wearer, such rear opening styles are frequently left untied at the neck and/or waist due to difficulty in tying. And this can result in insecure gown placement and inadequate or insufficient protection. In addition, backside neck tying/untying can significantly increase the likelihood of harmful microorganisms and other materials contacting the hair on the head or neck of a wearer, which also is highly undesirable.

It thus would be beneficial to provide an improved PPE isolation gown, such as for use in the healthcare industry, that can provide for ease of adjustment and of donning and removal without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, body fluids, and/or particulate material, particularly to the hair on the head or neck of a wearer, and that also can be a lower cost alternative to various styles of currently available isolation gowns.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to PPE front opening isolation gowns such as for use by workers in the healthcare industry. The front opening isolation gowns can provide for ease of adjustment and of donning and removal without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, body fluids, and/or particulate material, particularly to the hair on the head or neck of a wearer, and that also can be a lower cost alternative to various styles of currently available isolation gowns

In one embodiment, a front opening isolation gown is provided, which includes a central body that wraps around a torso area of a wearer and a pair of opposing left and right sleeves attached to the central body and extending in a direction away from the central body and a neck opening that accommodates a neck of the wearer. The central body and right and left sleeves include a front and a back, the front of the central body being separated into a right portion and a left portion, with one of the right portion or left portion including an overlapping section and the other of the left portion or right portion including a corresponding overlapped section that is defined when the gown is donned and secured. In one example, the right portion includes an overlapping section and the left portion includes a corresponding overlapped section that is defined when the gown is donned and secured. The gown further includes a plurality of fasteners provided at the front, with each fastener having corresponding first and second parts that cooperate with one another to define the fastener and secure the right and left portions together. Each first part is situated on the overlapping section of the right portion and each corresponding second part is situated on the corresponding overlapped section of left portion of the gown. When the gown is donned and secured, at least one of a first and second fastener is situated at approximately a shoulder region of the wearer, a third fastener is situated about intermediate a top and bottom of the gown, and a fourth fastener is situated between the third fastener and the bottom of the gown. In one example, when the gown is donned and secured, at least one of a first and second fastener is situated at approximately a left shoulder region of the wearer.

In another embodiment, a front opening isolation gown is provided, which includes a central body that wraps around a torso area of a wearer and a pair of opposing left and right sleeves attached to the central body and extending in a direction away from the central body and a neck opening that accommodates the neck of the wearer. The central body and right and left sleeves include a front and a back, the front of the central body being separated into a right portion and a left portion, with the right portion including an overlapping section and the left portion including a corresponding overlapped section that is defined when the gown is donned and secured. The gown further includes a plurality of fasteners provided at the front, with each fastener having corresponding first and second parts that cooperate with one another to define the fastener and secure the right and left portions together. Each first part is situated on the overlapping section of the right portion and each corresponding second part is situated on the corresponding overlapped section of left portion of the gown. When the gown is donned and secured, each of a first and second fastener is situated at approximately a left shoulder region of the wearer, a third fastener is situated about intermediate a top and bottom of the gown, and a fourth fastener is situated between the third fastener and the bottom of the gown. The first fastener, the second fastener, the third fastener, and the fourth fastener are selected from one of a snap, hook and loop closure, or tie closure.

In another embodiment, a method of donning the front opening isolation gown is provided, which include placing a wearer's right and left arms into and through the right and left sleeves, wrapping the central body around the torso of the wearer, and fastening the first and second parts of the fasteners at the front of the gown so that the right and left portions are secured. The overlapping section overlaps the corresponding overlapped section and the neck opening accommodates the neck of the wearer when the gown is donned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, with a detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an isolation gown, in a generally open and unsecured position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of an isolation gown, in a generally open and unsecured position, showing a set-in style sleeve in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the isolation gown of FIG. 1, in a closed and secured position;

FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of an isolation gown, in a closed and secured position, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a back elevational view of the isolation gown of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the isolation gown of FIG. 2 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-4 show an isolation gown 10 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The isolation gown 10 has a front opening configuration and is further designed with fasteners 12, 14, 16, and 18 that facilitate ease of adjustment and donning and removing without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, particularly to the hair on the head or neck of a wearer, and also is more efficient to manufacture, thereby providing a cost-effective alternative to various styles of currently available isolation gowns.

Use of the descriptive terms such as left, right, top, bottom, front, back, and/or vertical hereinbelow, for example, as it pertains to/describes the gown 10, is from the viewpoint of a wearer of the isolation gown 10 (when properly donned), unless otherwise noted.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the isolation gown 10 generally includes a front 20 and a back 22 (See FIG. 3), a top 24 and a bottom 26, and an inner and outer surface 28 and 30. The isolation gown 10 also includes a central body 34 and a pair of opposing long sleeves, i.e., right and left long sleeves 36 and 38, with each sleeve 36, 38 located adjacent and extending in a direction away from a neck opening 40 and having an optional terminal cuff 42. The neck opening 40 is generally defined by the top edge 46 of the central body 34 and the right and left sleeves 36, 38, and may be hemmed, in one example, to have a bias bound hem. The sleeves 36, 38 may be joined to the central body 34 and the cuffs 42 may be joined to their respective sleeve 36, 38 by techniques known in the art, such as by sewing. As shown here, the sleeves 36, 38 are of a raglan style, but may be of a set-in style (See FIG. 1A). Other sleeve styles may be utilized here as well. With a set-in style sleeve, as shown in FIG. 1A, a proximal end of each sleeve 36, 38 is spaced apart from the neck opening 40. To that end, the neck opening 40 is generally defined by the top edge 46 of the central body 34 alone.

One or more of the optional terminal cuffs 42, in other embodiments, may be absent altogether, with the long sleeve(s) 36, 38 simply defining an opening that is hemmed at a distal end of each sleeve 36, 38. In another example, the long sleeves 36, 38 may be short sleeves (not shown) or there may be no sleeves at all, if so desired. In other embodiments, the terminal cuff 42 may be replaced with long sleeves having thumb loops (not shown), for example. And although the central body 34 and the sleeves 36, 38 are shown as one piece here, it should be appreciated that the central body 34 and/or sleeves 36, 38 could be formed of multiple fabric pieces stitched or fastened together, or the like, by means known in the art.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front of the central body 34 of the gown 10 is further separated into a right and left portion 50 and 52 with the right portion 50 including an overlapping section 54 that overlaps a corresponding overlapped section 56 of the left portion 52, when an appropriately sized gown is properly donned and secured. The amount of overlap of the overlapping section 54 may vary as desired. The remaining edges 58 of the central body 34 of the gown 10, including the right and left portions 50, 52, may be conventionally hemmed, with the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52, in one example, terminating at about a midline 60 of the gown 10. A plurality of fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 are provided on the inner and outer surfaces 28, 30 at the front 20 of the gown 10 for securing the right and left portions 50, 52 together when the gown is worn. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, four fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 are provided on the gown 10 to provide a secure, full body fit for a wearer and to facilitate ease of adjustment and donning and removing without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 has corresponding first and second parts 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b that mate or cooperate with one another to define the fastener 12, 14, 16, 18. First fastener 12 defines a snap having a mating male and female part 12a, 12b. The male (or female) part 12a may be secured by techniques known in the art to the inner surface 28 of the overlapping section 54 of the right portion 50 of the gown 10 proximate a junction 64 at which the top edge 46 or bias bound hem of the neck opening 40 meets the vertical edge 58 or hem of the right portion 50. The corresponding part 12b may be secured to the outer surface 30 of the left sleeve 38 of the gown 10 by techniques known in the art and adjacent where the left sleeve 38 and left portion 52 are sewn together and spaced apart from the neck opening 40, which approximates a shoulder region of a wearer upon donning of the gown 10. In an alternate embodiment, with a set-in style sleeve, the corresponding part 12b, as shown in FIG. 1A, may be secured by techniques known in the art to the outer surface 30 of the left portion 52 of the gown 10 and spaced apart from the neck opening 40, the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52, and where the left sleeve 38 and left portion 52 are sewn together.

The snap 12 can be made of metal, plastic and the like, and optional reinforcement tabs 66, such as twill tape, can be secured to the gown 10 also by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, beneath one or both parts 12a, 12b of the snap 12 to create a reinforced base for the snap 12 with the snap 12 being secured thereon. Alternately, the snap 12 may be reinforced by self-fabric gathered or pinched in the attachment operation.

Second fastener 14 defines a hook and loop closure having a mating hook and loop part 14a, 14b. The hook (or loop) part 14a may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the inner surface 28 of the overlapping section 54 of the right portion 50 of the gown 10 generally below and adjacent one of the parts 12a of the snap 12 and generally proximate the junction 64. The corresponding part 14b may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the outer surface 30 of the overlapped section 56 of the left portion 52 of the gown 10 generally below and adjacent the corresponding part 12b of the snap 12 and adjacent where the left sleeve 38 and left portion 52 are sewn together, yet spaced apart from the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52 and the neck opening 40. And in an alternate embodiment, with a set-in style sleeve, the corresponding part 14b, as shown in FIG. 1A, may be secured by techniques known in the art to the outer surface 30 of the left portion 52 of the gown 10 generally below and adjacent the corresponding part 12b of the snap 12 and spaced apart from the neck opening 40, the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52, and where the left sleeve 38 and left portion 52 are sewn together.

The first and second fasteners 12, 14 may act as backup fasteners to each another upon failure of one. In addition, the location of the first and second fasteners 12, 14 allows a wearer to securely fasten and unfasten the neck opening 40 of the gown 10 with substantially reduced risk of the likelihood of harmful microorganisms and other materials contacting the hair on the head or neck of a wearer. In particular, corresponding parts 12b and 14b of the first and second fasteners 12, 14 are situated on the gown 10 such that the junction 64 and the overlapping section 54 thereat may spaced apart from the neck opening 40 and away from a wearer's neck/head when the first and second fasteners 12, 14 are secured. In one embodiment, only one of the first or second fasteners 12, 14 is present.

Third fastener 16 defines a tie closure having cooperating first and second tie parts 16a, 16b. Each tie part 16a, 16b may be a twill tape. The first tie part 16a may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, into the vertical edge 58 or hem of the right portion 50 of the central body 34 about intermediate the top 24 and bottom 26 of the gown 10, at a location which approximates an abdominal region or waist area of a wearer upon donning of the gown 10. The cooperating or corresponding second tie 16b may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the outer surface 30 of the left portion 52 of the central body 34 of the gown 10 about intermediate the top 24 and bottom 26 of the gown 10 and spaced apart from the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52.

Fourth fastener 18 defines a hook and loop closure having a mating hook and loop part 18a, 18b. The hook (or loop) part 18a may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the inner surface 28 of the overlapping section 54 and adjacent the vertical edge 58 of the right portion 50 of the gown 10 below and spaced apart from the first tie part 16a, at a location which generally is below the waist area of a wearer upon donning of the gown 10. The corresponding part 18b may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the outer surface 30 of the overlapped section 56 of the left portion 52 of the gown 10 generally intermediate the corresponding second tie part 16b and the bottom edge 58 of the gown 10 and proximate the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the corresponding part 18b may be secured by techniques known in the art, such as by being sewn, to the outer surface 30 of the overlapped section 56 of the left portion 52 of the gown 10 generally below and spaced apart from the corresponding second tie part 16b and spaced apart from the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52 so that the vertical edge 58 of the left portion 52 generally lies along the entirety of the midline 60 of the gown 10 when the gown 10 is donned and the fastener 18 secured.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it should be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the gown 10 may be reconfigured in a generally reversed fashion so as to be donned and securely fastened on the right side rather than the left, such as to better accommodate left-handed wearers. That is, the left portion 52 alternatively can include overlapping section 54 and the right portion 50 can include corresponding overlapped section 56 with the fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 repositioned accordingly.

With respect to FIGS. 1-4, it should be appreciated that more or less fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 may be provided, the locations thereof may be re-located altogether or adjusted up or down and/or left or right, as needed, and any one of the fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 may be replaced or interchanged with a like fastener, while still retaining the overall benefits of the front opening isolation gown 10. In one example, the tie closure 16 may be replaced with a hook and loop closure or snap. In another example, one or more of the hook and loop closures 14, 18 may be replaced with a tie closure or snap. In yet another example, the snap 12 may be replaced with a tie closure or hook and loop closure, and so on. While the fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 have been discussed herein as snaps, tie closures, and/or hook and loop closures (e.g., Velcro®), other alternatives, such as magnets, clasps, and the like, may be considered, again, while still retaining the overall benefits of the front opening isolation gown 10.

The isolation gown 10 can be provided in any number of desired lengths and sizes and may be disposable (e.g., one-time use) or reusable (e.g., able to be laundered). The isolation gown 10 may be provided in any color, as desired. In one example, the isolation gown 10 is yellow in color. The isolation gown 10 also may optionally include pockets (not shown) or other surface features. In one example, a verifiable tracking system (not shown), such as a bar code or radio frequency chip, may be included on or in the gown 10, such as to track the number of laundering cycles of the gown 10, for example.

The central body 34 and sleeves 36, 38 of the gown 10 can be constructed of various materials such as conventional materials that are typically used in the construction of isolation gowns. Fabric construction can be woven, non-woven, or knitted. In one example, the fabric construction is a woven plain weave. In another example, the sleeves may be a double needle sleeve construction. The fabric material can include natural and/or synthetic fibers and may be lint free, as desired. In one example, the fabric includes polyester, polypropylene, and/or cotton. In another example, the central body 34 and/or sleeves 36, 38 are substantially polyester, substantially cotton, or a polyester/cotton blend (e.g., a 50/50). The central body 34 and/or sleeves 36, 38 also may incorporate ESD (electrostatic dissipative)/anti-static yarns 70 therein. The ESD yarns 70 can include nylon or carbon fibers, and the like. In one example, the ESD yarns 70 are about 1% of the total material of the gown 10, but may be provided in a greater or lesser amount as desired.

The terminal cuffs 42 can be constructed of the same or different materials than those used for the central body 34 or sleeves 36, 38. Fabric construction can be woven, non-woven, or knitted. The fabric material can include natural and/or synthetic fibers. In one example, the terminal cuff 42 is a knitted cuff, which can be of a different material than the sleeves 36, 38. In one example, the knitted cuff is substantially polyester, substantially cotton, or a cotton/polyester blend (e.g., 50/50 blend). In another example, the terminal cuff 42 may be elastic and composed of an elastic material, such as rubber, latex, nitrile, vinyl, and the like. In other examples, the gown 10 may be fabricated with cuffs 42 altogether, thumbhole-type retention loops may be employed at the end of each sleeve 36, 38, or the sleeve 36, 38 may simply terminate with a hemmed or otherwise finished opening for the hand.

In one embodiment, the central body 34, sleeves 36, 38, and/or cuffs 42 include or are composed solely of liquid resistant material, such as polyester or polypropylene, and/or are treated to be liquid resistant so as to conform to at least minimum standards established for Level 1 classification by AAMI PB70 Standard. In one example, the fabric for the central body 34, sleeves 36, 38, and/or cuffs 42 may be provided with a liquid resistant finish, such as a fluorocarbon based finish. In another example, the fabric may be provided with an antimicrobial finish. In another embodiment, additional layer(s) or reinforcements, laminates, chemical finishes, and/or films (e.g., plastic films) may be incorporated into the gown 10 to provide the necessary liquid resistance.

The isolation gown 10 can be donned in a manner similar to a conventional robe or jacket rather than donned in a rear-opening orientation as with current isolation gowns. The right sleeve 36 and left sleeve 38 are configured to receive a wearer's arms with the optional terminal cuffs 42 being situated generally ideally around the wearer's wrists. Medical gloves may be worn over the hands and may be placed over all or a portion of the cuffs 42. The neck opening 40 accommodates the neck of a wearer with the central body 34 wrapping around the torso area of a wearer so that the overlapping section 54 overlaps the corresponding overlapped section 56, when an appropriately sized gown 10 is properly donned. After the overlapping section 54 overlaps the corresponding overlapped section 56, the first and second parts 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b of the fasteners 12, 14, 16, 18 can mate and/or cooperate with another for securing the right and left portions 50, 52 together thereby providing a secure, full body fit for a wearer that facilitates ease of adjustment and donning and removing without substantial risk of the transfer of potentially harmful microorganisms, body fluids, and/or particulate material, particularly to the hair on the head or neck of a wearer, and that also can be a lower cost alternative to various styles of currently available isolation gowns. The isolation gown 10 of the present invention is understood to be more intuitively donned and, when the gown 10 is removed, the wearer is able to easily turn the contaminated outer surface 30 toward the inside. Removal of the gown 10 may be accomplished by simply reversing the above process. In addition, by avoiding the use of ties at the back of the gown and close to the neck, the present invention offers advantages over current gowns in that a wearer's hair will be significantly less likely to be inadvertently touched during adjustment, donning, and/or removal.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1. A front opening isolation gown comprising:

a central body that wraps around a torso area of a wearer and a pair of opposing left and right sleeves attached to the central body and extending in a direction away from the central body and a neck opening that accommodates a neck of the wearer, the central body and right and left sleeves including a front and a back, the front of the central body being separated into a right portion and a left portion, with the right portion including an overlapping section and the left portion including a corresponding overlapped section that is defined when the gown is donned and secured; and

a plurality of fasteners provided at the front, with each fastener having corresponding first and second parts that cooperate with one another to define the fastener and secure the right and left portions together, each first part being situated on the overlapping section of the right portion and each corresponding second part situated on the corresponding overlapped section of left portion of the gown,

wherein, when the gown is donned and secured, at least one of a first and second fastener is situated at approximately a left shoulder region of the wearer, a third fastener is situated about intermediate a top and bottom of the gown, and a fourth fastener is situated between the third fastener and the bottom of the gown.

2. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein, when the gown is donned and secured, the at least one of the first and second fasteners includes each of the first and second fasteners being situated at approximately the left shoulder region of the wearer and adjacent to one another.

3. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the at least one of a first and second fastener, the third fastener, and the fourth fastener are selected from one of a snap, hook and loop closure, or tie closure.

4. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the at least one of a first and second fastener is a snap or a hook and loop closure.

5. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the third fastener is a tie closure

6. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the fourth fastener is a hook and loop closure.

7. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the first part of the at least one of the first and second fasteners is provided on the overlapping section of the right portion of the gown proximate a junction at which a top edge of the gown meets a vertical edge of the right portion.

8. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the first part of the third fastener is provided on the overlapping section of the right portion intermediate the top and bottom of the gown at a location that approximates a waist area of the wearer, the second corresponding part of the second fastener is provided on the outer surface of the left portion of the central body intermediate the top and bottom of the gown and spaced apart from a vertical edge of the left portion.

9. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the first part of the fourth fastener is provided on the inner surface of the overlapping section and adjacent a vertical edge of the right portion below and spaced apart from the first part of the third fastener, the corresponding second part of the fourth fastener is provided on the outer surface of the overlapped section of the left portion generally intermediate the corresponding second part of the third fastener and the bottom of the gown and proximate a vertical edge of the left portion.

10. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the first part of the fourth fastener is provided on the inner surface of the overlapping section and adjacent a vertical edge of the right portion below and spaced apart from the first part of the third fastener, the corresponding second part of the fourth fastener is provided on the outer surface of the overlapped section of the left portion generally below and spaced apart from the corresponding second part of the third fastener and spaced apart from a vertical edge of the left portion so that the vertical edge of the left portion generally lies along a midline of the gown when the gown is donned and secured.

11. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the right and left sleeves define a set-in style sleeve.

12. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the right and left sleeves define a raglan style sleeve.

13. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the right and left sleeves are long sleeves with each sleeve having a terminal cuff.

14. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the isolation gown is yellow in color.

15. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the central body and/or right and sleeve sleeves include ESD (electrostatic dissipative)/anti-static yarns.

16. The front opening isolation gown of claim 15 wherein the ESD yarns include nylon or carbon fibers.

17. The front opening isolation gown of claim 1 wherein the gown includes or is composed solely of liquid resistant material.

18. A front opening isolation gown comprising:

a central body that wraps around a torso area of a wearer and a pair of opposing left and right sleeves attached to the central body and extending in a direction away from the central body and a neck opening that accommodates the neck of the wearer, the central body and right and left sleeves including a front and a back, the front of the central body being separated into a right portion and a left portion, with the right portion including an overlapping section and the left portion including a corresponding overlapped section that is defined when the gown is donned and secured; and

a plurality of fasteners provided at the front, with each fastener having corresponding first and second parts that cooperate with one another to define the fastener and secure the right and left portions together, each first part being situated on the overlapping section of the right portion and each corresponding second part situated on the corresponding overlapped section of left portion of the gown,

wherein, when the gown is donned and secured, each of a first and second fastener is situated at approximately a left shoulder region of the wearer, a third fastener is situated about intermediate a top and bottom of the gown, and a fourth fastener is situated between the third fastener and the bottom of the gown, the first fastener, the second fastener, the third fastener, and the fourth fastener are selected from one of a snap, hook and loop closure, or tie closure.

19. The front opening isolation gown of claim 18 wherein the first fastener is a snap, the second fastener and the fourth fastener are a hook and loop closure, and the third fastener is a tie closure.

20. A front opening isolation gown comprising:

a central body that wraps around a torso area of a wearer and a pair of opposing left and right sleeves attached to the central body and extending in a direction away from the central body and a neck opening that accommodates a neck of the wearer, the central body and right and left sleeves including a front and a back, the front of the central body being separated into a right portion and a left portion, with one of the right portion or left portion including an overlapping section and the other of the left portion or right portion including a corresponding overlapped section that is defined when the gown is donned and secured; and

a plurality of fasteners provided at the front, with each fastener having corresponding first and second parts that cooperate with one another to define the fastener and secure the right and left portions together, each first part being situated on the overlapping section and each corresponding second part situated on the corresponding overlapped section,

wherein, when the gown is donned and secured, at least one of a first and second fastener is situated at approximately a shoulder region of the wearer, a third fastener is situated about intermediate a top and bottom of the gown, and a fourth fastener is situated between the third fastener and the bottom of the gown.

21. The front opening isolation gown of claim 20 wherein the at least one of a first and second fastener, the third fastener, and the fourth fastener are selected from one of a snap, hook and loop closure, or tie closure.

22. A method of donning the front opening isolation gown of claim 20 that comprises placing a wearer's right and left arms into and through the right and left sleeves, wrapping the central body around the torso of the wearer, and fastening the first and second parts of the fasteners at the front of the gown so that the right and left portions are secured, the overlapping section overlaps the corresponding overlapped section, and the neck opening accommodates the neck of the wearer, when the gown is donned.