Isolation gowns are ordered by level, not by fabric feel, and the case size is what decides whether a clinic can actually keep the right level on the rack. In Canada, gowns are bought from a medical wholesaler, a dental or medical distributor, or an importer, and the practical difference between them shows up in the case configuration: a case that is all one size creates a shortage at the largest end of the size range and a surplus at the bottom. The level 2 line most clinics standardise on is an 
SMMS 40 gsm isolation gown, AAMI level 2, 50 per pack.
This guide covers what the AAMI levels mean in purchasing terms, how many gowns a clinic uses, and what to put on the order so the next case fits the staff who wear it.
What do the AAMI levels mean when ordering?
The AAMI level describes resistance to liquid penetration under defined test conditions, and it is the only sensible way to compare two gowns on a purchase order.
| Level | Typical use | What it is not |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Basic care, minimal fluid exposure, visitor and support tasks | Not for splash-generating procedures |
| Level 2 | Blood draws, suturing, routine procedures with moderate fluid | Not for prolonged fluid contact |
| Level 3 | Arterial lines, trauma, situations with copious fluid | Not a substitute for a fluid-impervious apron where one is required |
| Level 4 | Highest fluid and pathogen resistance, longer exposure | Not required for routine examination |
A clinic that buys one level for every task is either over-specifying the simple tasks or under-specifying the wet ones. Most buy level 1 and level 2 and keep them visibly separate so that nobody grabs the wrong rack in a hurry.
How many gowns does a clinic or care home use?
Count the tasks that require a gown, not the patients. A dental practice may use five to ten a day for procedures with splash risk; a long-term care home with an outbreak unit can use several hundred in a week. The number to set as a par level is the weekly figure plus one week of buffer, because outbreak demand arrives faster than a delivery.
Case configuration matters more than the headline quantity. A 50-gown pack in one size is convenient for a small clinic and useless for a care home with a mixed staff body. Ask for a mixed-size case, or order packs by size in the ratio the staff actually wear.
What should the purchase order specify?
- AAMI level, and the standard the level is claimed against.
- Fabric weight in gsm, because two level 2 gowns at different weights behave differently in wear.
- Size distribution across the case, not just the size range offered.
- Closure type: tie-back or thumb-loop, and whether the cuffs are knitted or elastic.
- Gowns per pack and packs per case, so the par level matches what arrives.
- Whether the gown is intended for single use, which is the case for essentially all disposable isolation gowns.
How should gowns be stored and dispensed?
Keep them dry, out of direct sunlight, and in the original packaging until use. Store the isolation gown rack outside the patient room but within reach of the door, so the gown goes on before entry and comes off at the exit. Do not store gowns in the same cupboard as clean linen without separation, and do not leave a part-used pack open on a trolley where it can pick up dust.
Dispensing is a compliance step, not a convenience step. If reaching a gown takes longer than reaching the door handle, staff will skip it, and the purchasing decision will have failed at the point of use.
What changes when a care home orders for multiple units?
Order on one account and ship to each unit, rather than letting each unit buy separately. The group total reaches case pricing, and a single order history makes consumption visible: a unit using twice the gowns per resident day is usually managing a different case mix or a different precaution routine, and that is worth knowing. Separate orders hide the comparison entirely.
Related reading
- Infection control audit evidence binder for long-term care homes
- Medical waste segregation in Canada vs the US: colour coding compared
- How to build a two-supplier policy for single-use consumables
Plan your monthly quantities with the clinic supply planner, or print the ordering checklist and keep it with the stock sheets. Ask a Compliance Specialist at the sterilization compliance desk if the product touches reprocessing. Ordering for a clinic, lab or care home? Wholesale and multi-site ordering covers case pricing and account setup, and the B2B wholesale collection lists the lines stocked for institutional buyers. Reselling? become a distributor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Level 2 isolation gown used for?
Level 2 gowns are specified for procedures with moderate fluid exposure, such as blood draws, suturing and routine examinations. They are not intended for copious fluid or prolonged contact, which call for level 3 or level 4.
How many isolation gowns are in a case?
Case configurations vary; a common pack is 50 gowns, with cases holding several packs. Confirm gowns per pack and packs per case before comparing case prices between suppliers.
Can isolation gowns be washed and reused?
Disposable isolation gowns are single use. Washing them removes the finish that provides the liquid barrier, so a laundered gown looks intact while no longer performing as the level on the label.
Should a clinic stock more than one level of gown?
Most clinics stock level 1 for basic care and level 2 for procedures, kept on separate, clearly labelled racks. One level for every task either over-specifies simple care or under-specifies wet procedures.
CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
0 comments