What should a PPE gown be capable of during patient care?

In the context of patient care, particularly in settings where there is a risk of exposure to bodily fluids, a personal protective equipment (PPE) gown must be impermeable to fluids. This characteristic is essential because it helps prevent blood, saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids from penetrating the gown, which in turn protects the healthcare provider from potential infections and cross-contamination.

Fluid impermeability is a critical factor in maintaining a sterile environment, especially when dealing with infectious diseases. This feature ensures that protective barriers are effective in safeguarding the healthcare worker's skin and clothing from biohazardous materials, thereby enhancing overall safety in clinical interactions.

While comfort for the patient and reusability after washing can be considerations in the choice of gowns, they do not supersede the primary function of fluid protection. Similarly, the assertion that a gown should block all forms of bacteria is less accurate, as gowns are primarily designed to provide a barrier against fluids rather than filtering all pathogens.