Z314.10.1-10

Preface

This is the first edition of CSA Z314.10.1, Selection and use of gowns, drapes, and wrappers in health care facilities. Together with CSA Z314.10.2, it supersedes the previous editions of CAN/CSA-Z314.10, which was published in 2003 under the title Selection, Use, Maintenance, and Laundering of Reusable Textile Wrappers, Surgical Gowns, and Drapes for Health Care Facilities, and published in 1997 under the title Selection, Use, Maintenance, and Laundering of Reusable Textile Wrappers, Surgical Gowns, and Drapes for Health Facilities. It is one of the CSA Z314 series of Standards dealing with decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization.

Scope

1.1 This Standard defines essential elements in the selection and use of gowns, drapes, and wrappers in health care facilities. Included in the selection criteria are minimum construction and performance requirements for gowns, drapes, and wrappers, to help health care facilities choose products with barrier qualities that are appropriate for their intended use.

1.2 This Standard specifies requirements for the following areas: (a) responsibilities of the health care facility administration; (b) policies and procedures relating to the selection and use of gowns, drapes, and wrappers; (c) quality systems and documentation; (d) qualifications for personnel who handle new, reprocessed, and soiled gowns, drapes, and wrappers; (e) basic characteristics and classification of, and selection criteria for, gowns, drapes, and wrappers; (f) selection and use of sterilization pouches; (g) storage, transportation, and handling of clean and sterile gowns, drapes, and wrappers; (h) use of gowns, drapes, and wrappers; and (i) handling of soiled gowns, drapes, and wrappers prior to disposal or reprocessing.

1.3 This Standard does not cover (a) the reprocessing of multiple-use gowns, drapes, and wrappers (refer to CSA Z314.10.2); and (b) the selection and use of surgical masks (refer to jurisdictional occupational health and safety regulations).

1.4 In CSA Standards, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard; and "can" is used to express possibility or capability. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.5 The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.