Abstract
Medical clothing plays a major role in human well-being by protecting
individuals against infection, by monitoring physiological signs and by
promoting health.
The protective properties of medical clothing are gaining new-found interest
among health care workers and public health officials as a result of the
increasing incidence of infections contracted in hospitals and the sporadic
outbreak of deadly viruses among the general public. The most recent example
of such an outbreak is that of the H1N1 virus - popularly known as Mexican
swine flu - which manifested itself in April 2009. Preventing such outbreaks
also has a financial dimension, given that the costs of treating infections
and viruses are soaring.
One technology which should help to stem the increase in health care costs is
that of clothing with healing properties. Also wearable textile-based health
monitoring systems should save health care costs by enabling individuals to
manage their own health.
In the meantime, new fabric technologies have paved the way for the
development of medical clothing which satisfies a need for comfort as well as
protection. Indeed, many garments worn by the medical profession are now
enhanced with comfort and performance features which are more commonly
associated with high-tech sportswear and athletic apparel.
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