OT Linen for Cath Labs and Interventional Suites: Drapes and Gowns

Cath labs and other interventional suites use theatre textiles differently from a standard operating theatre. Drapes are long enough to cover the full length of a narrow imaging table, with fenestrations placed over common access sites such as the groin or wrist, and gowns are worn over lead aprons, so they need to be cut larger and roomier. Many labs also use clear plastic covers for imaging equipment, which are a separate product category from woven reusable linen.

This guide covers what to consider when planning reusable gowns and drapes for a cath lab or interventional radiology suite, and where the decisions belong to clinical, radiation-safety and infection-control teams.

How the cath lab differs from a general theatre

Several features of interventional work change what the textiles have to do.

• Long, narrow tables. Imaging tables are typically narrower than an operating table and the patient often lies with arms alongside or on an arm board. Drapes must run the full length and hang to an agreed level at the sides without interfering with the imaging equipment.
• Access sites rather than open incisions. Procedures commonly use vascular access through the groin or the wrist, so drape openings are placed over those sites.
• Lead aprons under gowns. Staff wear radiation protection under their sterile gown. That adds bulk and heat, and the gown must fit over it comfortably.
• Imaging equipment over the field. The C-arm or detector moves around the patient, so drapes must not catch or hang into its path. Equipment covers are usually clear disposable products.
• Long cases and contrast. Some procedures run long, and fluids including contrast and blood may reach the drape around the access site.

Drapes for interventional suites

Angiography-style drapes

A common pattern is a large drape that covers the patient from head to foot with fenestrations placed over access sites. Some designs have two femoral openings, one each side, and some add a radial opening. Teams differ on whether they want openings at both groins by default or prefer separate smaller drapes added as needed.

When specifying a reusable version, draw:

• overall length and width to suit the table and the drop required at the sides,
• each fenestration's size and position measured from a fixed reference, such as the head end,
• any reinforced area around the openings,
• how the drape is folded so the openings land in the right place when it is unfolded.

For more on fenestrations in general, see what is a fenestrated drape.

Arm board and radial access drapes

Radial access often uses an arm board. A smaller drape or a dedicated arm-board cover can be made to fit it. Measure the board and the area the team wants covered.

Back-table and trolley covers

Interventional procedures use wires, catheters and other long devices laid out on the back table, so table covers should be large enough for that layout. Trolley covers sized to your back tables are a straightforward reusable item.

Gowns worn over lead aprons

This is where reusable cath-lab gowns differ most from general theatre gowns.

1. Size up for the apron. Staff usually need a larger gown than they wear in theatre to close it over a lead apron or vest-and-skirt. Many labs order more of the larger sizes. Surgical gown sizes explains how to plan a size mix; for a cath lab, try gowns on over the actual aprons used.
2. Check the wrap at the back. A wrap-around back should still close fully over the apron without pulling.
3. Allow sleeve length for reaching. Operators often reach across the patient and up to controls; sleeves should stay in place with cuffs secure.
4. Think about heat. Lead aprons plus a gown under procedure lighting gets warm. Fabric weight and breathability matter, within what your infection-control team requires. Surgeon gown comfort and heat covers this in more detail.

Radiation protection itself, including apron type and fit, is the responsibility of your radiation-safety lead. The gown simply needs to go over it without compromising either.

Which items suit reusable textiles

Item	Reusable woven option?	Notes
Full-length drape with access openings	Yes, made to drawing	Fenestration positions must match your typical access sites
Arm-board drape or cover	Yes	Measure the board
Back-table and trolley covers	Yes	Size to your tables and device layout
Surgeon gowns	Yes	Sized to fit over lead aprons
Hand towels	Yes	Same as general theatre
Imaging equipment covers	Usually disposable clear covers	Not a woven textile product; source separately
Fluid collection pouches	Usually disposable	Source separately if used

Whether a reusable drape is suitable for a given procedure, and what level of fluid resistance is needed around access sites, is for your interventional and infection-control teams to decide. If a defined barrier performance is needed, ask the supplier exactly what the fabric has been tested to and request the documentation.

Planning quantities

Cath-lab case numbers can be high on some days and low on others, depending on the elective list and emergencies. Base your quantities on:

• the number of cases on a busy day, including emergency activity,
• items per case from your pack list,
• the turnaround for laundering and sterilisation,
• a reserve for withdrawals and peaks.

Because gowns are sized up, keep a separate count for each size rather than a single gown total.

Keeping cath-lab stock with the cath lab

Cath-lab drapes and gowns are often processed by the same laundry and CSSD as main theatres. Because they are cut differently, they cause problems if they drift into general theatre packs, and the lab runs short when they do. A few measures help:

• mark every item with a cath-lab item code as well as the facility name,
• add a simple colour cue, such as a coloured tab or binding, so CSSD can spot cath-lab items when sorting,
• keep a separate pack card for each cath-lab pack,
• include cath-lab items in inspection records so you can see how fast the sized-up gowns and long drapes wear.

If the lab shares a building with a hybrid theatre, agree which drapes belong to which room before the first order, so quantities are not double-counted.

Cath-lab textile checklist

• Table dimensions and required drop at the sides
• Access-site fenestrations drawn and positioned from a fixed reference
• Arm-board and back-table measurements
• Gown size mix based on fitting over actual lead aprons
• Fabric weight and breathability agreed with infection control
• List of items that stay disposable, such as equipment covers
• Sample trialled in a real case set-up before bulk

Getting reusable cath-lab textiles made

Standard theatre sizes rarely fit an interventional suite perfectly, so made-to-drawing items are often the better route. MISHAREN makes reusable surgeon gowns with wrap-around backs and knitted cuffs, fenestrated and plain drapes cut to the buyer's dimensions and fenestration drawing, and trolley covers, at its own unit in Konni, Kerala. Orders are shipped to the UAE and delivered across the seven emirates, with the lead time including shipping confirmed in the quotation.

To discuss drapes and gowns for your interventional suite, see our OT gowns and drapes page or send your drawings through contact.