Monday morning, 7:45 a.m. The PPE order has landed, and two boxes sit side by side in receiving: one labelled Level 2, the other Level 3. Both gowns are fluid resistant, and both feel similar to the touch. The real question is which one belongs at the triage desk and which one belongs in the procedure room — and that call comes down to AAMI PB70, the standard most Canadian facilities use to classify gown protection. The same scene plays out in community clinics, long-term care homes, and hospital supply rooms from Vancouver to Halifax.
Buying the supplies in this guide? Stocked in Canada, shipped from Toronto.
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Where the Levels Come From
Where to Buy Isolation Gowns in Canada
CliniEco Medical supplies AAMI-level isolation gowns to clinics, long-term care homes and laboratories across Canada, shipped from Ontario.
| Option | Best for | Order |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1, non-woven | Minimal fluid exposure — standard care | Level 1, Non-Woven |
| Level 2, SMS 40gsm (50-pack) | Higher fluid resistance for clinical care | Level 2 SMS, 50-Pack |
| PLA biodegradable | Facilities with sustainability targets | PLA Level 1, Biodegradable |
| Gowns, gloves and spore testing together | New or restocking clinics | Clinic Starter Bundle |
Ontario and GTA orders ship free over $99; elsewhere in Canada over $199 ($15 flat below). Bulk and standing orders go through a wholesale account. Print a blank sterilization log sheet from our free generator, or book a sterilization compliance review.
AAMI PB70, published by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, defines four barrier levels for protective apparel based on how well the fabric resists liquid penetration. Canada does not maintain its own gown classification scheme, so Health Canada and provincial infection control bodies reference this standard when outlining expectations for protective apparel, alongside CSA Z314 for reprocessing and handling of medical devices. Knowing the levels makes procurement simpler and keeps staff protected without paying for barrier strength they do not need.
Each level is tied to a specific test method:
- Level 1 – water resistance screening: a light spray of water must not penetrate the fabric.
- Level 2 – water impact: the material resists a controlled splash of water.
- Level 3 – hydrostatic pressure: the fabric withstands water under steadily increasing pressure.
- Level 4 – viral penetration: the gown resists bloodborne pathogen penetration under pressure.
Levels 1 through 3 are graded on water resistance; Level 4 adds viral penetration testing. PHAC routine practices guidance aligns with this approach, and ISO 16604 is the international test method behind Level 4 claims. The progression maps closely onto clinical risk.
Which AAMI PB70 level belongs in which part of your facility?
Print this matrix and match each department before the next order. Print this table
| Level | Test behind the claim | Fluid exposure it covers | Typical Canadian setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Water resistance screening — a light spray of water must not penetrate | Minimal, incidental contact | Administrative areas, waiting rooms, low-contact screening, visitor wear |
| Level 2 | Water impact — the material resists a controlled splash | Moderate splash and spray | Blood draws, suturing, wound care, emergency intake and laboratory work |
| Level 3 | Hydrostatic pressure — the fabric holds under increasing pressure | High, heavier fluid exposure | Major blood draws, arterial line insertion, trauma response, splash-risk procedures |
| Level 4 | Viral penetration under pressure (ISO 16604) | Critical, bloodborne pathogen risk | Surgical procedures and high-risk pathogen exposure |
Canada does not keep its own gown classification, so facilities reference AAMI PB70 alongside CSA Z314 for reprocessing and PHAC routine practices guidance. Match each department to its worst realistic fluid exposure rather than the average, and confirm the documented level and the test method before you buy. Levels 1 to 3 are graded on water resistance; Level 4 adds viral penetration testing.
Level 1 – Minimal Fluid Exposure
Level 1 gowns suit basic care: standard isolation, visitor wear, and tasks where contact with fluids is unlikely. Many facilities use them in administrative areas, waiting rooms, and low-contact screening. They are lightweight, breathable, and inexpensive — but they are not appropriate where splash or spray is expected. If you are standardizing on a single gown across most roles, a Level 2 SMMS gown covers more ground than Level 1 for a modest price increase.
Level 2 – Moderate Risk, the Everyday Workhorse
Level 2 is the level most Canadian clinics, long-term care homes, and community health teams reach for. These gowns resist fluid splash and fit blood draws, suturing, wound care, emergency intake, and laboratory work.
For facilities that need a dependable Level 2 option, the CliniEco Medical Isolation Gown (SMMS 40gsm, Level 2) uses a spunbond-meltblown-meltblown-spunbond fabric that balances fluid resistance with breathability for long shifts. The 40 gsm weight keeps the gown light enough for comfortable eight-hour days while still meeting the Level 2 water impact test. That combination of price, comfort, and protection is why SMMS has become a standard fabric across Canadian PPE supply chains.
Level 3 – High Fluid Exposure
Level 3 gowns handle heavier fluid exposure: major blood draws, arterial line insertion, trauma response, and procedures with real splash risk. The fabric must withstand hydrostatic pressure — water pushed against the material under force — without leaking through. They cost more and feel heavier than Level 2, but they are the right choice when fluid contact is likely.
Level 4 – Critical and Surgical
Level 4 is the highest barrier on the scale, tested against viral penetration and reserved for surgical procedures and high-risk pathogen exposure. Surgical teams rely on these gowns under sterile conditions, where barrier integrity is non-negotiable. They are typically sterile, noticeably more expensive, and uncomfortable for routine wear. Very few non-surgical settings in Canada need Level 4 on a daily basis.
Choosing the Right Level for Your Facility
A practical way to decide:
- Map each department or task to its expected fluid exposure: low, moderate, high, or critical.
- Match the level to the worst realistic scenario, not the average one.
- Weigh comfort and breathability — staff wear these gowns for hours at a time.
- Confirm the documented level and the test method behind it before you buy.
- Factor in cost per gown and reorder volume across the whole facility.
For most Canadian healthcare settings, Level 2 covers the majority of everyday work, with Level 3 held for higher-risk procedures. Facilities that standardize on a solid Level 2 gown — such as the SMMS 40gsm option from CliniEco — simplify ordering, training, and inventory.
The right gown is the one matched to the task. AAMI PB70 gives you a clear, test-based scale to work from, and CSA Z314 and Health Canada guidance frame how it applies in Canadian facilities. Once you know the levels, your next order becomes a straightforward decision — and a safer one for everyone on shift. Revisit your gown matrix at least once a year, or whenever a new procedure is introduced.
Related Reading
Explore more guides in this category:
- Anti-Snoring Devices for Home Care: Mandible Advancement Options Explained
- CPAP Accessories for Sleep Clinics: Mask, Tubing and Filter Replacement Guide
- PLA vs PE Garbage Bags: The Complete Sustainability Guide
- printable sterilization log
Related reading: browse our isolation gown collection for standards and options.
compare isolation gown standards (ASTM F2407 vs AAMI PB70) in our pillar guide.
Have a question about your own facility? Send it in and you will get a written answer specific to your setup, with the regulation or standard it is based on cited. Ask your compliance question.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What do AAMI Level 1 to 4 gown ratings actually measure?
They measure barrier performance against a progressively harder liquid challenge, not comfort or durability. The AAMI PB70 framework assigns levels 1 to 4 using tests that include water resistance at the cuff and seam, impact penetration, and for the higher levels resistance to penetration by synthetic blood and by blood-borne pathogens. A Level 3 gown is not a thicker Level 1; it has passed a different test at a different challenge.
Which gown level belongs at the triage desk and which in the procedure room?
Triage, screening and routine examinations sit in Level 1 territory: brief contact, low fluid volume, no spatter. Procedure rooms where blood or body fluid can be projected — excisional work, endoscopy support, wound irrigation, any aerosol-generating procedure — call for Level 2 or Level 3. The decision belongs to the task list in the clinic's IPAC manual, not to a house rule that one level covers everything.
Does a Canadian clinic ever need a Level 4 gown?
Rarely. Level 4 is built for prolonged, fluid-intensive procedures where the gown may be saturated, which is hospital surgical territory rather than clinic work. A clinic that finds itself buying Level 4 gowns should first check whether the task really involves that volume of fluid, because the cost per gown rises sharply and the barrier advantage is unused in routine care.
How do you verify the level a supplier claims on the box?
Ask for the test method behind the claim and the measured result, then check that the label, the pack and the specification sheet agree. CliniEco Medical lists the level on the case label for the Level 1 non-woven fluid-resistant gown and the SMS 40 gsm Level 2 gown, and supplies a PLA Level 1 gown for facilities that separate their non-hazardous disposable waste.
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