Question: What kinds of gowns should I wear when seeing patients?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Gowns
What testing and standards should I consider when looking for CDC-recommended protective clothing?
section_content: 
CDC’s guidance for Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing used in Healthcare for Protection against Microorganisms in Blood and Body Fluids outlines the scientific evidence and information on national and international standards, test methods, and specifications for fluid-resistant and impermeable gowns and coveralls used in healthcare.
Many organizations have published guidelines for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in medical settings. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Association of the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI): ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012pdf iconexternal icon describes the liquid barrier performance and a classification of surgical and isolation gowns for use in health care facilities.
As with any type of PPE, the key to proper selection and use of protective clothing is to understand the hazards and the risk of exposure. Some of the factors important to assessing the risk of exposure in health facilities include source, modes of transmission, pressures and types of contact, and duration and type of tasks to be performed by the user of the PPE. (Technical Information Report (TIR) 11pdf iconexternal icon[AAMI 2005]).
For gowns, it is important to have sufficient overlap of the fabric so that it wraps around the body to cover the back (ensuring that if the wearer squats or sits down, the gown still protects the back area of the body).


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed information about gowns and other PPE. Fully addresses question.
While this answer is related to the question, it only provides links, and does not answer the question outright.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Gowns
What is the difference between gowns and coveralls?
section_content: 
CDC’s guidance for Considerations for Selecting Protective Clothing used in Healthcare for Protection against Microorganisms in Blood and Body Fluids provides additional comparisons between gowns and coveralls.
Gowns are easier to put on and, in particular, to take off. They are generally more familiar to healthcare workers and hence more likely to be used and removed correctly. These factors also facilitate training in their correct use.
Coveralls typically provide 360-degree protection because they are designed to cover the whole body, including the back and lower legs, and sometimes the head and feet as well. Surgical/isolation gowns do not provide continuous whole-body protection (e.g., they have possible openings in the back, and typically provide coverage to the mid-calf only).
The level of heat stress generated due to the added layer of clothing is also expected to be less for gowns when compared to coveralls due to several factors, such as the openings in the design of gowns and total area covered by the fabric.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has specific, clear guidance on choosing between gowns and coveralls.
While it answers the question, it does not discuss in detail the difference of gowns.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Acceptable

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Gowns
What types of gowns are available for healthcare personnel to protect from COVID-19?
section_content: 
While the transmissibility of COVID-19 is not fully understood, gowns are available that protect against microorganisms. The choice of gown should be made based on the level of risk of contamination. Certain areas of surgical and isolation gowns are defined as “critical zones” where direct contact with blood, body fluids, and/or other potentially infectious materials is most likely to occur. (ANSI/AAMI PB70pdf iconexternal icon).
If there is a medium to high risk of contamination and need for a large critical zone, isolation gowns that claim moderate to high barrier protection (ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 3 or 4pdf iconexternal icon) can be used.
For healthcare activities with low, medium, or high risk of contamination, surgical gowns (ANSI/AAMI PB70 Levels 1-4pdf iconexternal icon), can be used. These gowns are intended to be worn by healthcare personnel during surgical procedures.
If the risk of bodily fluid exposure is low or minimal, gowns that claim minimal or low levels of barrier protection (ANSI/AAMI PB70 Level 1 or 2pdf iconexternal icon) can be used. These gowns should not be worn during surgical or invasive procedures, or for medium to high risk contamination patient care activities.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Provides specific guidance about what kind of gowns are protective against the coronavirus.
This answer discusses the different gowns that are available, which answers the question thoroughly.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent