Ethan Rhodes
Putting on a hospital gown can be a daunting experience, especially if you are already anxious about an upcoming medical procedure. Hospital gowns are designed to provide easy access to the body for healthcare providers to examine patients, run tests, or check their vitals. However, this can come at the cost of the patient's privacy and dignity. The type of gown you will be wearing depends on the medical procedure or treatment you are receiving. For example, theatre gowns are made specifically for operations. Before putting on a hospital gown, you will usually need to remove your clothing, though you may be able to keep on your underwear and bra unless your chest or genitals are being examined. If you are confused about how to put on your hospital gown, ask your healthcare provider for assistance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide easy access for healthcare providers to examine, run tests, or check vitals |
| What to wear underneath | Typically, patients are allowed to wear their underwear underneath the hospital gown. However, it depends on the specific examination or procedure. |
| How to wear | Hold the gown up and take note of where the ties are and where the front is. Slip your arms into the sleeves and pull the gown up to your neck. Tie the neck strings behind your head or in front of your chest, depending on your upper body mobility. |
| Variations | Hospital gowns come in various styles and colours, including straight up-and-down gowns and wrap gowns. |
| Removal | To remove the gown, simply undo the ties or use the quick-release snaps on the shoulders, if available. |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the front of the gown and where the ties are
Before putting on a hospital gown, it is important to identify its front and where the ties are. Hospital gowns come in a variety of styles, and each style requires slightly different directions for wearing it.
To identify the front of the gown, hold it up to yourself before putting it on. Take note of where the ties are and where the front of the gown is. This gives you a visual image of how to wear the gown and where the ties will sit in relation to your body.
Some hospital gowns have ties at the neck and waist, which you can tie as if you were fastening an apron. If you have upper body mobility, tie the neck strings behind your head. If your arms are not mobile enough, you can tie the neck strings in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head. You may also leave the waist strings untied if you plan on lying down, as the knot can dig into your lower back.
Some gowns have lower ties that tie in the front to provide more coverage. If you see a tie near your hips on the front of your gown, reach behind you to find the second tie near your lower back. Bring the tie near your back around the side towards your front, then tie them together in a bow.
If you are confused about how to put on your hospital gown or need help, ask your healthcare provider for assistance.
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Tie the gown at the neck and waist
Hospital gowns are designed to provide easy access to healthcare providers for examinations, tests, and checking your vitals. They can, however, be a little intimidating to put on, especially if you've never worn one before.
First, identify the type of gown you have. Most hospital gowns are open at the back, but some tie at the front. If you are wearing a straight up-and-down gown, turn it so that it completely covers your front, unless instructed otherwise by a medical professional. Slip your arms into the sleeves and pull the gown up to your neck.
Now, tie the neck strings. If you have upper-body mobility, tie the strings behind your head. If your arms are not mobile enough, tie the neck strings in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head.
Next, tie the waist strings. If you plan on walking around, it is recommended to tie the waist strings behind you. If you will be lying down, you may prefer to leave the waist strings untied, as the knot can dig into your lower back. To tie the waist, simply bring the two sets of laces together and tie them as if you were fastening an apron. If your gown ties at the front, reach behind you to find the second tie near your lower back, bring it around to the front, and tie the two sides together in a bow near your hip.
Remember, if you are confused about how to put on your hospital gown or need assistance, don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for help.
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Wear underwear underneath the gown
In most cases, you will be allowed to wear standard underwear underneath your hospital gown. This is dependent on the access needed for the examination or treatment, but many patients find they are able to wear their own underwear throughout their stay.
If you are wearing a straight up-and-down gown, grab it and turn it so that it completely covers your front, unless your doctor has instructed you to wear it otherwise. Slip your arms into the sleeves and pull the gown up to your neck. If you have upper-body mobility, tie the neck strings behind your head. If your arms aren’t mobile enough, then you can tie it in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head.
If you are wearing a wrap gown, which doesn’t have a neck tie but does have two waist ties, slip into the hospital gown with the gaps facing the front. If your gown ties at the front, pull the lower tie around to the front. If you see a tie near your hips on the front of your gown, reach behind you to find the second tie near your lower back. Bring the tie near your back around the side towards your front, then tie them together in a bow.
If you are staying multiple days in the hospital and you are uncomfortable wearing only a gown for that long, ask your healthcare provider if you can change into some loose-fitting pants or underwear instead. It is important to wear comfortable and breathable undergarments. Stretchy and lightweight undergarments are especially important if you will be recovering and are unable to change yourself.
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Ask for assistance if you need help
Putting on a hospital gown can be a daunting experience, especially if you are confused about how to wear it or are encountering a new style of gown. If you are unsure about how to put on your hospital gown, or you need assistance to do so, don't hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for help. They are there to support you and will be able to guide you through the process.
It's important to note that each style of hospital gown has slightly different instructions for wearing it. Before putting on the gown, take a moment to examine it and identify where the ties are located. Hold it up to yourself to get a sense of how it will look and feel when you put it on. This will give you a better understanding of how to wear it and where the ties will sit in relation to your body.
If you have mobility issues or other physical limitations that make it difficult to tie the gown, don't worry. There are alternative options available. Some hospital gowns feature poppers instead of ties, which can be easier to use and provide a secure fit. These popper gowns often have rows of poppers on the shoulders and back, ensuring that the gown stays in place while also being easy to remove when needed.
Additionally, depending on the nature of your visit to the hospital, you may be allowed to wear certain garments underneath your hospital gown. In most cases, you will be permitted to wear standard underwear, such as a comfortable and breathable bra and underwear. However, it's important to check with your healthcare provider, as it may depend on the specific procedures or examinations you are undergoing. They will be able to advise you on what is appropriate to wear underneath the gown to ensure your comfort and dignity during your time in the hospital.
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Remove the gown after treatment
Once you are finished with your medical examination or treatment, it’s time to remove your hospital gown. Some gowns have quick-release snaps on the shoulders, allowing you to simply rip open the snaps and step out of the gown. With other gowns, you will have to reach back and undo the ties. This can be tricky, which is why it’s important to always tie the gowns in loose bows and to avoid double-knotting so that you can easily get out of the gown.
If you are wearing a straight up-and-down gown, you will need to untie the neck strings behind your head or at the front of your chest, depending on where you tied them. If you have tied the waist strings, you will need to untie those too. Wrap gowns are a bit different because they don’t have a neck tie but they do have two waist ties. If you have tied the waist ties, undo them before stepping out of the gown.
If you have an IV line, changing your hospital gown requires careful attention to ensure safety, comfort, and IV integrity. Prepare a new gown and ensure it is clean and within reach. Check the IV site and tubing to ensure they are properly secured and show no signs of dislodgement or leakage. This assessment prevents accidental removal or damage to the IV line during the gown change. Untie or unfasten the gown at the neck and back. This makes it easier to remove the gown without causing unnecessary movement of the IV line.
Remove the soiled gown from the shoulder and arm on the side without an IV line. Removing the gown from the unaffected arm first reduces the risk of pulling or disturbing the IV line while allowing for the gown to be removed comfortably. Gently slide the other sleeve off the shoulder, over the arm, IV catheter, and IV tubing. Detach the fluid container from the IV stand and slide the gown over it, ensuring the container remains above the infusion site. This precaution safeguards against accidental dislodgement or kinking of the IV, which could disrupt fluid delivery or medication administration.
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Frequently asked questions
First, take off your clothing, but leave on your underwear. If your chest or genitals are not being examined, you will likely be able to keep on your bra and underwear. Next, grab the gown and turn it so that it completely covers your front. Slip your arms into the sleeves and pull the gown up to your neck. If you have upper body mobility, tie the neck strings behind your head. If not, tie them in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head. If your gown has waist ties, you can tie them behind you if you will be walking around, or leave them untied if you will be lying down.
What you wear under a hospital gown depends on why you are visiting the hospital. For example, if you are in hospital for surgery on your hand, what you can wear is different from someone who is in hospital to deliver a baby. In most cases, you will be allowed to wear standard underwear underneath your hospital gown, but this is dependent on the access needed.
Some gowns have quick-release snaps on the shoulders, so you simply rip open the snaps and step out of the gown. Other gowns require you to reach back and undo the ties. This is why it's important to always tie the gowns in loose bows and to avoid double-knotting.
There are a variety of hospital gown types, including straight up-and-down gowns and wrap gowns. Wrap gowns don't have a neck tie but have two waist ties. Some gowns have ties in the front, while others tie in the back. If you are staying multiple days in the hospital and are uncomfortable wearing a gown for that long, ask your healthcare provider if you can change into some loose-fitting pants instead.
