The efficacy of cotton cover gowns in reducing infection in nursing neutropenic patients: an evidence-based study.

Abstract

This pilot study aimed to investigate the routine use of cotton cover gowns in the care of neutropenic patients and whether the rate of infection would increase if they were not used. Patients were randomly placed into alternate groups on admission and nursed with or without gowns. The patients' rates of infection were noted with no significant difference in infection rates. Using evidence from a systematic review of the literature, cover gowns have now been removed as a method of protecting neutropenic patients. 'Simple' and effective hand-washing, together with the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, has been shown to be sufficient protection for these patients.