Claire Dawson
Putting on a hospital robe can be a daunting experience, especially for first-timers. Hospital robes, also known as hospital gowns, are long loose pieces of clothing worn by individuals undergoing operations, treatments, or examinations. They are designed to provide easy access to healthcare providers while maintaining patient comfort and dignity. The process of putting on a hospital robe varies depending on the style of the gown, which includes the straight up-and-down style and the wrap style. This guide will walk you through the steps to confidently put on a hospital robe and ensure your comfort during your time in the hospital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide easy access for medical professionals while offering a degree of comfort and modesty for the patient |
| Types | Straight up-and-down style, wrap style, split-back, snap-front, full-back, isolation, theatre, lapover, over-the-head, and wrap-over back panel |
| Material | Cotton, polyester, paper, thin plastic, or DermaFabric |
| Colour | Purple, pink, or a range of colours to suit the needs of patients |
| Fastening | Ties, snaps, Velcro, colour-coded ties, or plastic poppers |
| Underwear | Underwear and bras are usually permitted, and pants may be allowed for additional comfort and modesty |
| Putting on | Slip arms through the sleeves, pull up to the neck, and tie the laces behind the neck in a bow. For wrap gowns, slip into the gown with the gaps facing the front |
| Removing | Untie or unsnap the fastenings carefully |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of hospital robe
Hospital robes are typically designed with patient comfort and medical accessibility in mind. They come in various types, catering to different needs and circumstances. The most popular type of hospital robe is typically made from lightweight cotton or polyester blends, with an open back and ties for easy access during medical examinations and procedures. The loose fit ensures patient comfort and mobility, making them suitable for a wide range of hospital settings.
Another type of hospital robe is the full-back gown, which provides more coverage than other gowns. They are often preferred by patients for their modesty and comfort. These gowns are practical as they allow easy access to the patient's back for medical procedures and examinations. They are usually secured with ties and may also have snaps or Velcro closures.
Snap-front gowns are a variation of the classic gown, providing convenient access to the chest and abdominal area for medical procedures while maintaining patient dignity. They are typically made from lightweight and breathable fabric like cotton or poly-cotton blends. These gowns are ideal for patients who require frequent medical attention but want to maintain their privacy.
Disposable hospital gowns are usually made of paper and are designed for single-use, while fabric gowns are made from cotton, polyester, or blends that can be reused after washing.
Hospital robes may also be categorized into medical gowns and patient gowns. Medical gowns offer protection and coverage for healthcare professionals, while patient gowns prioritize patient comfort, dignity, coverage, and ease of access for medical staff.
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Remove clothing
Before putting on a hospital robe, you will need to remove your clothing. In many cases, you will be able to leave on your bra and/or underwear, unless otherwise instructed by a medical professional. If only your top or bottom half is being examined, you may be able to leave on your shirt or trousers and then simply drape the hospital robe over the rest of your body.
Follow the medical staff's instructions for how much to undress. You will usually be provided with a locked area to store your clothing, so place your clothing where they direct you to. This will ensure that you can easily find them later when it's time to take off the hospital robe.
If you are uncomfortable wearing only a hospital robe, you can ask your doctor or nurse if you can put on trousers or underwear underneath the robe. It is always worth asking, although if you have a catheter or medical device in your lower body, you may not be able to. If you are staying in the hospital for multiple days and are uncomfortable wearing only a robe, ask your healthcare provider if you can change into some loose-fitting trousers instead.
If you are concerned about modesty, you can ask for a second robe to wear as a lightweight robe over your hospital robe can provide extra coverage without hindering medical access.
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Put on the robe
Putting on a hospital robe or gown can be a daunting experience, especially if you are already feeling anxious about an operation or procedure. However, the process is quite straightforward.
First, you need to take off your clothing or change into the hospital robe in a private area. You may be provided with a locked area to leave your belongings. In many cases, you will be able to leave your underwear on, and sometimes your bra, unless otherwise instructed by a doctor. If the doctor is only examining your top or bottom half, you may be able to leave on your shirt or trousers and then simply drape the hospital robe over the rest of your body.
Next, identify the type of robe you have been given. There are two main types of hospital robes: a straight up-and-down style and a wrap style. If you have the straight up-and-down style, grab it and turn it so it completely covers your front (unless your doctor has instructed you to wear it otherwise). Slip your arms into the sleeves and pull the robe up to your neck. If you have upper-body mobility, tie the neck strings behind your head. If your arms are not mobile enough, then you can tie it in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head. You may wish to tie the waist strings behind you if you are going to be walking around. Some people prefer to leave the waist strings untied if they will be lying down because the knot can dig into their lower back.
If you have a wrap-style robe, slip into it with the gaps facing the front. Wrap-style robes don't have a neck tie but do have two waist ties. If you are wearing a lapover gown, which fastens with colour-coded ties, you can tie it at the waist and neck.
If you are unsure how to put on your hospital robe, don't hesitate to ask a caregiver or nurse for help.
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Tie the robe
Hospital robes are designed to be simple garments, but they can be a little tricky to put on. The first step is to identify the type of hospital robe you have, as the method of putting it on may vary slightly. The two most common types are the straight up-and-down style and the wrap style. The straight up-and-down style has two panels that meet in the middle on one side, while the wrap style has two fabric panels that overlap at an angle.
Once you have identified the type of robe you have, you can begin to put it on. If you have a straight up-and-down robe, 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 robe up to your neck. If you have upper body mobility, you can tie the neck strings behind your head. If you do not have full mobility in your arms, you can tie the robe in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head.
If you have a wrap-style robe, the process is a little different. Wrap-style robes do not have a neck tie, but they do have two waist ties. Slip into the robe with the gaps facing the front. Then, tie the waist ties behind you if you plan on walking around. If you will be lying down, you may prefer to leave the waist ties untied to avoid any pressure on your lower back.
Regardless of the style of the robe, make sure it is securely fastened but still comfortable. If you are unable to tie the robe on your own, don't hesitate to ask for assistance. It is important to remember that hospital robes are designed with patient comfort and dignity in mind, so don't be afraid to advocate for your comfort.
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Add extra layers
If you're concerned about modesty, you can add a lightweight robe over your hospital gown to provide extra coverage without hindering medical access. You can also ask for a second gown to wear as a robe so you feel less exposed.
If you're staying multiple days in the hospital and are uncomfortable wearing only a gown for that long, ask your healthcare provider if you can change into some loose-fitting pants or sweatpants instead. If you have a catheter or a medical device in your lower body, you may not be able to put on pants underneath your gown, but it's always worth asking.
For added comfort and convenience, consider pairing your hospital gown with other adaptive clothing items. A warm pair of socks or non-slip slippers can keep your feet comfortable and help prevent slips if you need to walk around.
If your hospital gown opens in the back, you can wear two gowns, one facing front and the other facing back, and tie the fasteners as you normally would.
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Frequently asked questions
In most cases, you can wear your bra and/or underwear under the hospital robe. If you are wearing a split-back robe, you will need to wear undergarments. You may also be allowed to wear pants or underwear for additional comfort and modesty. Check with your healthcare provider to see if you can put on another layer, like sweatpants, underneath your robe.
There are two main types of hospital robes: a straight up-and-down style and a wrap style. If you have a straight up-and-down style robe, turn it so that it completely covers your front, slip your arms into the sleeves and pull the robe up to your neck. Tie the neck strings behind your head or chest, depending on your upper body mobility. If you have a wrap-style robe, slip into it with the gaps facing the front and tie the waist strings.
You should tie your hospital robe securely but comfortably. If you are going to be lying down, consider loosening the waist ties to avoid any pressure on your lower back.
