Medical Uniforms – What are the benefits of Antiviral Fabrics?

Textile technology is developing more and more functional products for different areas of activity and for different types of users. Waterproof clothing, medical uniforms with fabrics composed of anti-viral and anti-bacterial finishes and garments that protect against the sun’s rays are just a few examples. In this way, by applying certain additives to the yarns that make up the fabric, uniforms can have these features.

Today’s consumers demand high performance from fabric, regardless of whether it is used for clothing, footwear, sporting goods or home textiles. Textile innovation and performance improvements can include modifications that provide comfort and high protection for the consumer.

What are Antiviral fabrics?

Research into antiviral textiles is receiving considerable attention due to the continuous global emergence of new infectious diseases. The antiviral finish given to the fabrics that make up Medical Uniforms can effectively inhibit the spread of viruses and significantly reduce the risk of cross-infection in order to offer greater protection to wearers of this type of clothing.

In recent years, researchers have studied various antiviral materials that can prevent the spread and reproduction of viruses by eliminating and reducing their attachment. These materials can be applied to antiviral fabrics using a special finish and various spinning methods.

What benefits do fabrics with an antiviral finish offer medical uniforms?

The finish given to the fabric that makes up your hospital uniform inhibits the growth and persistence of the virus in the fabric, reducing the viral load by up to 99%. In fact, there are several studies on this finish which guarantee that it also contributes to greater hygiene and odor control. This is due to a mechanism that blocks its binding to host cells, thus preventing its growth and proliferation

Greater durability: Fabrics with an antiviral finish prevent degradation caused by bacteria, mold and mildew. This makes Professional Clothing garments last longer, adding greater value to users
Odor control: Bacteria and certain microbes cause not only wear and tear to the fabrics of your Medical Uniforms, but also unpleasant odors and stains. Antibacterial fabrics help to reduce this and are particularly useful for garments exposed to sweat and humidity.
Garments stay cleaner for longer: in many sectors of activity, especially in healthcare, having anti-viral garments that help minimize the presence of bacteria is a great benefit. As well as reducing the time spent cleaning, fabrics with an antiviral finish help keep a garment cleaner for longer
Sustainability: Fabrics with an antiviral finish have a longer lifespan. Delaying the end of life of a product, especially a garment, helps to reduce the overall carbon footprint. In addition, as fabrics with this type of finish require less washing, less water and detergents, environmental sustainability is also defended in this respect.

What is the technology behind this antiviral finish?

The technology behind this type of fabric provides protection against bacteria and viruses. The chemical-textile elements make it possible to inhibit viruses thanks to the innovative combination of technology that uses silver particles (antimicrobial), generating antiviral reactions by attracting the virus and binding them permanently to the sulphur groups present on the surface surrounding the virus.

Could this fabric be applied to medical uniforms?

Fabrics with this type of finish have been created for all types of clothing, making them ideal for producing tunics, pants, shirts and gowns as well as masks. The application of this treatment does not alter the physical and mechanical properties of the fabrics.

What tests have been carried out to prove its effectiveness?

Since Unifardas has developed a new collection of medical uniforms (tunics and pants aimed at healthcare professionals) made from this type of fabric, all the suppliers we have consulted guarantee and prove that they have carried out studies and certifications attesting to its antiviral efficacy.

In one of these studies, the fabrics were tested against the virus according to ISO 18184:2019, a standard test to determine antiviral activity in textile products after a period of two hours, requiring a 99% reduction in the virus to prove its effectiveness. According to this study, the tests show a reduction in viral load of up to 99% in treated PES fabrics.

Does this fabric irritate the skin when wearing your Medical Uniforms?

The products used in this finish are soft to the touch, non-irritating, harmless to the skin and dermatologically tested.

In which products has Unifardas applied this fabric with the antiviral finish so far?

As mentioned above, Unifardas has so far developed a new collection of Medical Uniforms aimed at healthcare professionals in various fields. In fact, in addition to a distinctive concept and design, the protection of these professionals has been carefully planned in the development of these garments. This protection is provided by applying an antiviral finish to the fabric in which the garments are produced.

Many studies have been carried out in order to guarantee the greatest possible effectiveness of this finish applied to the fabrics. Like the existing anti-bacterial treatment, antiviral protection will also become commonplace over the next decade, and can be used on casual clothing or as hospital uniforms for healthcare professionals. Although this protection will only work as an additional aid, we must all maintain the well-known precautions, such as hand hygiene and social distancing.

But can fabrics with this type of finish only be used in medical uniforms?

To put it bluntly, the answer is no. Garments with this type of finish can be used in a variety of applications and in different areas of activity; let’s see:

Health – Antiviral fabrics can be used in Medical Uniforms as we have seen, but also in masks and even hospital bed linen.
Clothing for areas such as laboratories and even industry – Antiviral fabrics used in hospital gowns, laboratory coats and some areas of industry and in sports equipment protect users more effectively and prevent the development of unpleasant odors.
Military – This finish also givesmilitary uniforms greater durability by inhibiting the development of bacteria in the fabric, saving time and money for those who buy this type of clothing.

4 Extra Tips for Choosing the Right Medical Uniforms for Your Employees

• Look for Good Quality Medical Uniforms: But what determines good quality? The fabric used in your work uniform is fundamental to ensuring good quality. Given the characteristics of their work, a healthcare professional should wear a uniform that is durable, easy to clean, offers effective protection and, above all, is comfortable. We believe that no one should wear “heavy” work clothes, with a straight cut that doesn’t fit the size of each wearer.
• Color matters: Did you know that the color of your medical uniform can make a difference to how your patients perceive you? Colors can trigger emotions. Seeing certain colors can affect the way people think and feel. As a healthcare professional, you want patients to feel as comfortable as possible. Depending on your place of work, you may be obliged to wear a specific color, but if you have the option of choosing a color, there are some aspects that should be considered. Choosing blue and green medical uniforms conveys calm and tranquillity to patients.
• Choose the Medical Uniforms that best suit your body: Proper Medical Uniforms are not only important for protection but also to keep you motivated, comfortable and stylish. Medical Uniforms vary according to preference, but there is a pattern of characteristics that you should consider when choosing this type of clothing: Collar type that guarantees greater functionality Cut and ‘Design’ that offers you much-needed mobility and the choice of fabric that guarantees you all the comfort and protection.
• Pay Attention to the Functionality of Medical Uniforms: We have already mentioned aspects such as Comfort, Quality and Elegance as being very important, but there is one more point to take into account when choosing this type of clothing. This important point is called Functionality.
  The functionality of a Medical Uniform is above all whether it has, for example, enough pockets to store your work objects, whether the Tunic needs to have side slits to provide more mobility or whether the pants have an adjustable elastic band to make you more comfortable.