The laboratory assessment of a new fabric for reducing bacterial penetration of operating theatre apparel.

A one-piece experimental suit was made up from Gore-Tex fabric and assessed in an environmental chamber using 20 male volunteers with respect to reducing airborne contamination. Comparison was made with a similar cotton suit, a two piece short-sleeved cotton suit (blues) and "Y-front' underpants (briefs). The Gore Tex suit produced a reduction in contamination (with 95 per cent confidence limits) of 85.9 +/- 5.9 per cent over the cotton suit and over the blues and briefs at similar levels. Scanning electron microscopy showed that bacterial penetration would not occur.