page_title: 2002–2004 SARS outbreak among healthcare workers
section_title: Gowns
hierarchical_section_title: 2002–2004 SARS outbreak among healthcare workers / Causes of transmission / Equipment inadequacy / Gowns
context_page_description: The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome in healthcare workers —most notably in Toronto hospitals—during the global outbreak of SARS in 2002–2003 contributed to dozens of identified cases, some of them fatal. Researchers have found several key reasons for this development, such as the high-risk performances of medical operations on patients with SARS, inadequate use of protective equipment, psychological effects on the workers in response to the stress of dealing with the outbreak, and lack of information and training on treating SARS. Lessons learned from this outbreak among healthcare workers have contributed to newly developed treatment and prevention efforts and new recommendations from groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
context_section_description: Hospital gowns are another piece of equipment used by HCWs during the outbreak.  Used mostly for those who are having trouble changing/moving their lower body, gowns are easy for patients to put on when they are bedridden.  They are also helpful for HCWs to attempt to avoid contamination, as the gowns can be removed and disposed of easily after an operation or interaction with a patient. While seemingly less critical than masks, gowns were worn nearly the same amount by HCWs as masks.
caption: An example of typical disposable medical gloves worn often by HCWs
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