Tessa Quinn
Putting on a hospital gown can be a daunting experience, especially if you are awaiting surgery or feeling anxious about your health. Hospital gowns are designed to provide easy access for medical professionals while offering comfort and modesty to patients. They come in a variety of styles, colours, materials, and designs to cater to different patient needs and procedures. Before putting on a hospital gown, you will usually need to remove your clothing, although in some cases, you may be able to keep your underwear or pants on for additional comfort and modesty. The method for putting on a hospital gown varies slightly depending on its type, which could be a straight up-and-down style, a wrap style, a split-back gown, a snap-front gown, a full-back gown, or a theatre gown. This article will guide you through the process of putting on a hospital gown and offer tips for enhancing your comfort during the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gown type | Straight up-and-down style, wrap style, lapor gown, split-back gown, snap-front gown, full-back gown, isolation gown, theatre gown |
| Gown features | Ties, colour-coded ties, snaps, Velcro, adjustable ties, elastic cuffs |
| Gown material | Lightweight, breathable materials like cotton or a cotton-polyester blend |
| Clothing underneath | Bra and/or underwear, hospital socks, pants (if allowed) |
| Putting on the gown | Slip arms into sleeves, tie at the neck, tie at the waist, ensure it is secure but comfortable |
| Removing the gown | Undo ties or snaps, place in dirty laundry |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of hospital gown
Hospital gowns are typically categorised into two types: medical gowns and patient gowns. Medical gowns are worn by doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other medical staff. They are designed to protect the wearer from fluids, germs, bacteria, dangerous items like microorganisms or chemicals, and blood and other body fluids. They are usually made of disposable materials like paper or plastic, or breathable yet impermeable materials like polypropylene.
Patient gowns, on the other hand, are designed with patient comfort, dignity, and coverage in mind, as well as ease of access for healthcare workers. They come in a variety of styles, colours, and sizes, and can be made from fabric or disposable materials. Fabric gowns are usually made from cotton, polyester, or a blend of both, and can be reused, while disposable gowns are typically made of paper and are designed for single use.
Patient gowns can be further categorised into several types, including:
- Classic patient gown: This is the traditional hospital gown with a front panel that provides full coverage and a back that is split down the middle, allowing for easy donning and removal. They usually have neck and waist ties at the back, but some versions use snaps instead of ties.
- Snap-front gown: A variation of the classic gown, snap-front gowns provide convenient access to the chest and abdominal area for medical procedures while maintaining patient dignity. They are typically made from lightweight and breathable materials like cotton or poly-cotton blends.
- Wrap-style gown: This less common style provides more coverage but may hinder clinician access to patients.
- Lapover gown: This gown fastens with colour-coded ties at the waist and neck, providing the coverage desired by many patients.
- IV gown: These gowns have slits up the shoulders to provide easy access to IV lines. The slits may be left open or lined with snaps for opening and closing the sleeves as needed.
- Incontinence gown: These gowns are designed for individuals with bladder or bowel control issues. They are made from waterproof or absorbent materials and may include features like built-in absorbent pads or snap closures.
Gowned patients should be given the option to wear other garments, such as adaptive clothing, for extended hospital stays.
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How to put on a straight up-and-down gown
To put on a straight up-and-down hospital gown, first, remove any clothing in a private area. Then, grab the gown and position it to cover your front, unless your doctor has instructed you to wear it another way. 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 you have limited mobility, tie the strings in front of your chest and then slip them over your head. You can tie the waist strings at the back if you will be walking around. However, some people prefer to leave the waist untied if they will be lying down, as the knot can cause discomfort.
Most patients put the side with the gap at the back because having it in the front makes them feel more exposed. However, in some cases, a doctor may ask you to wear it with the gap in the front for easier access. Hospital gowns are designed to provide easy access for healthcare providers to examine you, run tests, or check your vitals. They are typically made from lightweight, breathable materials like cotton or a cotton-polyester blend.
When you are finished with your medical examination or treatment, it is time to remove your hospital gown. Some gowns have quick-release snaps on the shoulders, so you don't have to fuss with the ties. 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 is why it's important to always tie the gowns in loose bows and avoid double-knotting so that you can easily get it off later. Place the gown in the dirty laundry receptacle—usually indicated by hospital staff.
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How to put on a wrap gown
To put on a wrap-style hospital gown, first, identify which type of gown you have. Wrap gowns have two fabric panels that overlap at an angle, providing more coverage for patients. This style usually has two waist ties and no necktie.
Next, slip into the hospital gown with the gaps facing the front. Identify the inner waist tie, which will be on the inside of either your left or right side. Take the tie on the edge of the opposite side of the gown and attach it to the inner waist tie. Repeat this process with the outer waist tie on the other side of the garment that is still hanging loose. If the wrap gown has only one long inner tie, bring it around and tie it to the string on the opposite side. Adjust the overlapping fabric panels to ensure they hang comfortably.
If you are wearing a snap-front gown, you may need to open the gown and wrap it around you, ensuring your arms go through the appropriate sleeves. Secure the gown at the waist.
To remove the hospital gown, reverse the steps you followed to put it on. Untie or unsnap the fastenings carefully.
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How to tie the gown
Hospital gowns come in a variety of styles, including the straight up-and-down style, the wrap style, the split-back style, the snap-front style, and the full-back style. The method for tying the gown may vary slightly depending on the style. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tie a hospital gown:
Straight Up-and-Down Gown
If you are wearing a straight up-and-down gown, turn it so that it completely covers your front, unless your doctor has instructed you 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 you have limited mobility, you can tie the neck strings in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head. For the waist strings, you can tie them in the back if you plan on walking around. However, if you will be lying down, you may prefer to leave the waist strings untied to avoid discomfort.
Wrap Gown
Wrap gowns do not have a neck tie but usually have two waist ties. Slip into the wrap gown with the gaps facing the front. Bring the lower tie from the back around to the front and tie it together with the other waist tie in a bow. The two ties will typically connect near your hip on one side, providing more coverage for your backside.
Split-Back, Snap-Front, and Full-Back Gowns
For these types of gowns, you will typically need to open the gown and wrap it around your body, ensuring your arms go through the appropriate sleeves. Secure the gown at the neck and waist with the provided ties, snaps, or Velcro fastenings. These fastenings may be located on the back or side of the gown.
General Tips
When tying your hospital gown, make sure it is securely fastened but still comfortable. Avoid tying tight knots as this can cause discomfort, especially when lying down. If you are unable to tie the gown on your own, ask for assistance or request a second gown. You can put the second gown on backward to ensure full coverage. Additionally, remember to follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider regarding the positioning of the gown and whether you can wear additional layers underneath.
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Removing the hospital gown
To remove a hospital gown, simply reverse the steps you followed when putting it on. If your hospital gown has ties, carefully untie them. If you are unable to untie the gown on your own, ask a nurse for assistance.
Some gowns have quick-release snaps on the shoulders, which can be easily undone without fussing with the ties. Simply rip open the snaps and step out of the gown.
If your gown has ties, it is important to always tie them in loose bows and to avoid double-knotting so that you can easily untie them later.
If you are wearing two gowns for extra privacy, with one facing the front and the other facing the back, you can remove them by untangling the ties and slipping the gowns off.
After taking off the hospital gown, put your regular clothes back on.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two main types of hospital gowns: a straight up-and-down style and a wrap style. There are also gowns designed specifically for expecting mothers or those undergoing surgery.
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. Tie the neck strings behind your head or in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head.
Slip into the hospital gown with the gaps facing the front. Wrap gowns have two waist ties that you can tie in the front or the back, depending on the gown.
No, you can usually leave on your underwear and sometimes your bra and shirt or pants, depending on which body parts are being examined.
Don't hesitate to ask a nurse or caregiver for assistance. You can also request a second gown to wear backwards for extra coverage.
