Shoe covers have many different uses. Some help to create surgical sterility in the operating room while others help to maintain a clean environment. Medical booties are disposable shoe covers, which help in decreasing any incidence of infection. Most shoe covers are a waterproof, polypropylene type material stretched to fit over any type of shoe.

Hospital shoe covers must withstand excessive scuffing and walking without wearing out. Most medical shoe covers are disposable, but there are washable ones that must undergo rigorous sanitation processes to maintain sterility. There are other reasons that shoe covers may be used besides those used for health of medical care. These include:

1. Real estate professionals who use shoe covers before stepping into a property to prevent stains or dirt on the carpet or flooring.

2. Plumbers, heating professionals, contractors and electricians who use disposable shoe covers to keep construction debris or dirt contained to the construction area.

3. Businesses that clean up pet messes and use disposable covers to help contain many different types of viruses and bacteria. Using a shoe cover helps decrease the chance of spreading diseases and other medical issues.

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Know the types of protective shoe covers needed for the job

There is a vast difference between surgical shoe covers and shoe covers intended for purposes such as construction or real estate. Those used in the medical area are most commonly made of barrier-type materials that help in preventing the spread of infection or diseases. Other types of shoe covers are a lighter, less expensive material to protect the environment.

I recommend: Disposable shoe covers are a great to use when the job at hand is to protect flooring and carpet. Star Shoe Covers has a great variety of shoe covers in regards to those used in environmental protection. Heavy-duty shoe covers used for outdoor and indoor purposes such as gardeners and landscapers, are manufactured using latex, which assists in keeping footwear dry and clean. Courtesy Service Products is an industry leader in providing heavy-duty shoe covers for all types of purposes.

Identify the requirements for the use of a hospital shoe cover

If your main reason for the utilization of shoe covers is based on the need to maintain a sterile field area for surgery to decrease the occurrence of possible postoperative infections. Know the practice standards employed to keep this adverse outcome at a negligible rate.

I recommend: Read the BNet article, "Infection Control Circle of Safety" and determine your organization's benchmarks in regard to prevention of infection and aseptic techniques. The Association of Surgical Technologists addresses infection control standards of care for surgical management and interventions. They help you learn what types of barriers, such as shoe covers, work best.

Prevent the chance for falls by using non-skid shoe covers

Non-skid shoe covers help to reduce falls that can occur when utilizing shoe covers. The resistance afforded by the treads placed on the bottom of the cover provides skid resistance. Most disposable shoe covers are a gauze like material, which has a higher tendency for allowing a fall due to a slip.

I recommend: When looking for a shoe cover that is non-slip, finding one that grips surfaces such as those covered with grease, solvent, water and oil-based liquids is important. Finding covers that provide this additional traction-type property can help to reduce the incidence of falls in the workplace that result in hospital emergency room visits. Both Standalls and Tolbert Packaging provide both traditional and heavy-duty types of slip resistant shoe covers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When researching shoe covers basics, consider using a shoe cover dispenser, which can dispense 200 covers efficiently, which reduces waste.

Shoe covers are often necessary in conditions that must remain sanitary, such as operating rooms, emergency rooms and labs. In a health care environment, hospital shoe covers typically are worn by medical professionals such as nurses, doctors, surgeons and lab technicians.

Medical booties and shoe covers are important for 3 main reasons:

1. They help maintain a sanitary environment by eliminating tracked-in dirt and germs.

2. They protect the wearer from accidental spills and bodily fluids.

3. And shoe covers provide a non-skid surface on the often-slippery floors of hospitals and medical facilities.

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Determine where medical shoe covers will be worn

The environment that the shoe covers will be worn in determines the type of shoe covers you need. Although most medical booties have the same features these days, there are some exceptions.

I recommend: Visit some hospital supply sites to see what's available in the way of hospital shoe covers. The majority are disposable and intended for one-time use. Options include polyethylene covers that protect shoes and feet against fluids, non-slip tread that provides traction while reducing slippage and plastic shoe covers that are waterproof to protect feet from splashes.

Consider length of use of washable or disposable shoe covers

Some occupations might call for wearing disposable shoe covers in isolated instances or for short periods of time, while others might call for all-day usage.

I recommend: If you're buying shoe covers for a staff, department or entire hospital, your need clearly won't fall into either the "all-day" wearer or the "sporadic" wearer. You might want to consider economy shoe covers for the occasional users who don't require durability, as well as a supply of more durable shoe covers that take extended wear, comfort and breatheability into account.

Know your shoe cover wearers

Foot size and the type of shoe being covered need to be considered when purchasing medical shoe covers.

I recommend: Purchasing disposable shoe covers in both standard and large sizes will ensure that you have something to fit everyone. Some manufacturers make sport sizes to cover larger, athletic-type shoes. Boot covers also are an option when shopping for protective shoe covers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Although washable shoe covers are an option, their popularity has been greatly diminished by the emergence of disposable shoe covers for a variety of reasons.
• •  Looking for even more convenience? Check out the automatic shoe cover dispensers that are on the market today.
• •  Shoe covers with an elastic opening around the ankle are the easiest to put on and take off. The elastic helps keep the shoe cover in place while it's being worn, as well.

Protective shoe covers are worn for two main reasons. They are worn to protect a sterile environment from possible contamination on a person's shoes, but they can also be worn to protect shoes from being soiled with possible contaminants and then transferred out of the contaminated area. When buying shoe covers for a medical facility, it is important to consider the exact necessity of the cover.

Saving money on shoe covers can be as simple as buying the right type of cover for the job and as complicated as sifting through many shoe cover types and pricing options. Generally the larger quantity you purchase at one time, the better deal you will get. Other shoe options like non-skid soles will add to your final cost, but may be important depending on the need for safety. Save money by:

1. Comparing options after researching shoe cover materials, options and uses.

2. Finding suppliers who provide large quantity discounts for disposable shoe covers.

3. Buying shoe covers based on specific uses.

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Research your shoe cover options as a first step in saving money

Medical booties, surgical shoe covers and protective shoe clothes are all options for you to consider. Covers come in static-resistant materials, liquid-proof options or simple protective sheathing. Finding the proper material for the job at hand is the key to spending less. Don't waste money on anti-skid soles for shoe covers that won't be worn for prolonged walking, and always err on the large side when choosing cover sizes. If the cover is too small for the shoe, a person can go through twice as many when the covers rip and need to be replaced.

I recommend: Read over the information provided by The Med Supply Guide. The guide explains sizing, uses and grip options. Read infection control standards and guidelines put out by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and get helpful information from Infection Control Today about medical covering options including shoe covers.

Find bulk disposable surgical shoe covers at the best price possible

The disposable shoe cover is a common staple in most medical facilities. Facilities use covers in surgical, emergency and other departments on a regular basis. While they may seem like a minor part of the overall budget, spending more on covers than you need to can put a dent in any balance sheet. You'll generally find the best disposable cover deals when buying in bulk. Look for suppliers that offer good bulk options or deals on scheduled purchases throughout the year.

I recommend: Get large quantity discounts on medical shoe covers at Vitality Medical or Jansen Medical Supply. Find options including non-conductive, skid free booties and basic polyspun shoe covers for operating rooms.

Buy medical or hospital shoe covers based on your specific need and use

Whether you decide to spend extra money on non-skid covers for medical staff who are on the move, or want to buy sterile covers in bulk, it's important to distinguish uses and not generalize all shoe covers into one large purchase. Even if it will save you money in the short-run, purchasing a shoe cover not made to meet the standards the job requires will only cost you more in the long run. At the same time, don't buy the more expensive sterile covers for emergency room and other medical use if you don't truly need them. Save the sterile protective covers for the surgical suite and use less expensive covers in other areas.

I recommend: Buy surgical grade covers at Correct Products, or non-skid covers at Med World Store. Find several medical shoe cover options at Medical Supplies and Equipment including grip covers, heavy-duty options and others.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Washable shoe covers are available, but most infection control standards state the risks of not being able to get covers completely sterile by washing. Reusing increases infection risks dramatically.