ROSWELL, Ga., Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark Health Care today announced the availability of the new AERO BLUE* Performance Surgical Gown. This soft, lightweight gown is four times more protective than other comparable surgical gowns while providing users with unsurpassed comfort.

AERO BLUE* features a proprietary fabric with innovative Core technology that delivers the highest fluid protection available in a Level 3 surgical gown as defined by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). The AAMI standards aid in the selection of appropriate protective apparel to keep healthcare workers and their patients safe from fluid exposure.

Bodily fluids and microorganisms can be dangerous sources of contamination in the operating room, putting surgical staff and patients at risk for bacterial and viral transmission. Surgical attire that is resistant to penetration by blood and other fluids can help minimize risk of infection by preventing exposure. 

"Surgical gowns provide a critical level of safety in the OR, but clinicians often feel they must sacrifice comfort for protection," said Alex Hodges, General Manager, Surgical & Infection Prevention, Kimberly-Clark Health Care. "That's why Kimberly-Clark is excited to introduce AERO BLUE* Performance Gowns. With much higher fluid protection and unmatched comfort, AERO BLUE* represents a significant innovation in perioperative protection."

AERO BLUE*'s new performance fabric has a protective inner core that prevents fluid penetration—even under extreme high-pressure testing—while allowing moisture vapor to pass through the gown. Additionally, a highly breathable back panel maximizes air flow for cool comfort. The fabric's copolymer technology provides softness and a flexible fit, giving wearers full range of motion. AERO BLUE* also provides greater resistance to linting and abrasion than other leading surgical gowns.

In head-to-head fluid resistance tests with other competitive single-use surgical gowns currently available, AERO BLUE* delivered four times greater fluid protection than other non-reinforced gowns in the AAMI Level 3 category, and two times greater protection than fabric-reinforced gowns.

AERO BLUE* is available in a full range of sizes. For more information, please visit www.aeroblue.info. Visitors at the OR Manager Conference September 17-19 in Long Beach, Calif., can experience the AERO BLUE* Performance Gown firsthand at the Kimberly-Clark booth #1020.

AERO BLUE* is one of many new innovations in the pipeline at Kimberly-Clark Health Care, which later this year will become Halyard Health, an independent medical technology company focused on preventing infection, eliminating pain and speeding recovery.

Kimberly-Clark in the Healthcare Environment

Around the world, medical professionals turn to Kimberly-Clark for a portfolio of solutions that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. As part of their healing mission, caregivers rely on Kimberly-Clark to deliver clinical solutions, hygiene & cleaning offerings, and educational resources that they can depend on to prevent, diagnose and manage a wide variety of healthcare-associated infections. A global enterprise of more than $1 billion, Kimberly-Clark Health Care holds the No. 1 or No. 2 market share position in several categories, including infection control solutions, surgical solutions, pain management, hygiene solutions, digestive health and respiratory health. Kimberly-Clark plans to spin-off Kimberly-Clark Health Care into Halyard Health, a stand-alone, publicly-traded company. For more information, visit http://www.kchealthcare.com.

About Kimberly-Clark

Kimberly-Clark Corp. (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C's brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex^®, Scott^®, Huggies^®, Pull-Ups^®, Kotex^® and Depend^®, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the Company's 142-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.  

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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark Health Care