Effect of a dual function finish containing an antibiotic and a fluorochemical on the antimicrobial properties and blood repellency of surgical gown materials

In order to provide 100% cotton fabric and 55/45% woodpulp/polyester spunlaced nonwoven fabric with barriers against microorganisms and blood, samples are treated with gentamicin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and a fluorochemical compound using the pad-cure method. The antimicrobial activity of the samples is analyzed quantitatively by measuring the number of colonies of Klebsiella pneumonia, and qualitatively using the parallel streak method with Staphylococcus aureus. Blood repellency is assessed with spray and impact penetration tests using both synthetic and human blood. Samples treated with both the antibiotic and the fluorochemical (dual finish) show a high reduction rate in the number of colonies grown and clear zones of inhibition, which is the same as the antimicrobial properties of the samples treated with antimicrobial finishing agent only. The blood repellency of dual finished nonwoven fabrics is superior to that of dual finished cotton. The optimum concentration of the fluorochemical for synthetic blood repellency is 5% owf.