Previous attempts to assess the comfort and protection afforded by surgical gowns have been extremely simplistic and limited in their nature relying on a single and subjective linear scoring system. We have performed a comfort assessment comparison between the Charnley exhaust suit, disposable gown plus visor and the Stryker Steri-Shield system using a newly developed objective multi-dimensional validated ergonomic tool.

A prospective, comparative study was conducted using a modification of the Comfort Rating Scales (CRS) designed to measure wearable comfort of computer devices during physical activity across 6 dimensions. These dimensions are emotion, attachment, harm, perceived change, movement and anxiety.

10 theatre staff were recruited to the study and completed modified CRS scores on three separate occasions after having worn a disposable surgical gown plus mask with visor, a Charnley exhaust suit and a Stryker Steri-Shield system. The total mean CRS for a disposable gown plus visor was 16.1 with a mean dimensional score of 2.7 (range: 0.2 – 8.4), for the Charnley system the values were 51.4 and 8.6 (range: 5.9 – 12.8) respectively and for the Stryker Steri-Shield 15.4 and 2.6 (range: 0.8–5.6).

Although disposable, impermeable gown plus visor or the Steri-Shield system provide a similar level of comfort, the modified CRS has demonstrated that over 6 dimensions of measurable comfort the Steri-Shield system provides the least variation in comfort and as such may offer the best combination of comfort, protective qualities and form or style of personal protection systems for lower limb arthroplasty operations.