Jordan Ellis
Hospital gowns are designed to provide easy access for medical professionals to examine patients, whilst offering comfort and dignity. They come in a variety of styles, materials and designs, catering to different patient needs and procedures. This can make them tricky to put on, especially as every gown differs, and the type you receive may be different to ones you've had before. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to tie a hospital gown, covering the different types available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Easy access for healthcare providers to examine patients, run tests, or check vitals |
| Fit | Just below the knees |
| Tying technique | Tie the two sets of laces at the neck and waist, similar to fastening an apron |
| Tie location | Some gowns have ties in the front, while others are in the back |
| Number of ties | Two sets of ties, one at the neck and one at the waist |
| Tie type | Ties should be loose bows to avoid difficulty in untying |
| Additional coverage | Wear two gowns, one facing front and the other back, or wear pants or underwear underneath |
| Tie identification | Ties may be colour-coded to indicate which ties go together |
| Gown types | Split-back, snap-front, full-back, wrap, pullover, theatre |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the gown type
Hospital gowns are designed to be simple garments, but they can be tricky to put on and take off. They come in a wide variety of styles and colours to suit the needs of different patients. The type of gown you receive will depend on your procedure, the hospital, and your personal preference.
Firstly, you need to identify what type of gown you have been given. Hospital gowns can have ties, buttons, or poppers. Gowns with ties include the Lapover gown, which has colour-coded ties to help you identify where to tie them. This gown can be tied at the waist and neck, and the wrap-over back panel provides extra coverage for patients.
If you don't like ties or poppers, you can ask for a pullover gown, which is put on like a t-shirt. This type of gown is suitable for those who are physically able to put it on themselves, as it requires upper body mobility. It has an opening at the back, so it needs to be worn with underwear.
There are also gowns designed for specific purposes and patients, such as theatre gowns for operations, gowns for expecting mothers, and isolation gowns for those with infectious diseases.
Straight up-and-down gowns have two panels that meet in the middle on one side, which can be placed at the front or back. Wrap gowns have two fabric panels that overlap at an angle and are tied at the waist.
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How to put on a straight up-and-down gown
Putting on a hospital gown can be a daunting experience, especially if you are already anxious about an upcoming medical procedure. The following steps will help you to confidently put on a straight up-and-down hospital gown, which features two panels that meet in the middle on one side.
First, take off your clothes, leaving on your underwear unless instructed otherwise by a medical professional. Next, grab the gown and position it to completely cover your front, unless your doctor has advised otherwise. Slip your arms into the sleeves and pull the gown up to your neck. If you have good upper-body mobility, tie the neck strings behind your head. If you have limited mobility, you can tie the strings in front of your chest and then slip them over your head.
Finally, decide whether to tie the waist strings. If you will be walking around, you may prefer to tie the waist strings behind you. However, if you plan on lying down, you might want to leave the waist strings untied to prevent the knot from digging into your lower back.
When you are finished with your examination or treatment, it's time to remove your hospital gown. Some gowns have quick-release snaps on the shoulders for easy removal. Otherwise, you will need to reach back and undo the ties. Remember to tie your gown in loose bows to make it easier to remove. Place the gown in the dirty laundry receptacle, which is usually indicated by hospital staff.
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How to put on a wrap gown
Putting on a wrap gown is not as difficult as you might think. First, put the gown on like a jacket, with the opening facing you. Slip your arms into the sleeves and let the two front panels hang at your sides. Next, wrap the left side of the gown across your body, pulling it snug against your chest. If you feel like the neckline is too low, gently pull up on it.
Now, look for a small hole on the right side of the waist. Bring the sash from the left side across your body and put it through this hole. You can adjust the way the gown sits on you by tugging gently at the fabric. Finally, wrap the right side of the gown over the left side and tie the two sides together in the back. Make sure your knot is tight enough to keep the gown from coming undone.
If your wrap gown has ties in the front, take the two ends of the ties and pull them tight across your body for a ruched effect. Then, take the bottom tie, loop it through the hole, and wrap it around your back. Finish by tying your knot or bow at the back.
If your wrap gown has lower ties that tie in the front, reach behind you to find the second tie near your lower back. Bring the tie from the back around to the front and tie them together in a bow near your hip. This will give you a little more coverage.
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How to tie the neck
To tie the neck of a hospital gown, first, identify the type of gown you have been given. Some gowns have ties, while others have buttons or poppers. The popular Lapover gown, for example, has colour-coded ties to indicate which ties go together.
If your hospital gown has ties, the top set of laces usually sit right behind your neck, just above your shoulders. Grab one lace in each hand and tie them together in a bow, as if you were fastening an apron. Avoid double-knotting the bow, as it will be hard to undo later. If you are having trouble tying the knot behind your head, take the gown off and tie the top ties in a bow. Then, slip the gown on over your head, leaving the bow intact.
If you have upper body mobility, tie the neck strings behind your head. If your arms aren’t mobile enough, then you can tie the gown in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head.
If your hospital gown has buttons, ensure that the buttons are at the back, unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise.
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How to tie the waist
Tying the waist of a hospital gown is a simple process. First, identify the type of gown you have been given. Some gowns have ties, while others have buttons or poppers. The popular Lapover gown, for example, has colour-coded ties.
If your hospital gown has ties, there will usually be two sets of laces—one at your neck and one at your waist. If your gown has ties at the waist, it is likely a wrap-style gown with two fabric panels that overlap at an angle. To tie this type of gown, first locate the inside waist tie, which will be on the inside of either your left or right. Take the tie on the edge of the opposite side of the garment and attach it to the inner waist tie. Then, locate the outer waist tie on the other side of the garment and repeat the process with the side that is still hanging free. If your gown only has one long inner tie, bring it around and tie it to the string on the opposite side.
If you have a straight up-and-down gown, grab it 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, you can tie the neck strings behind your head. If your arms are not mobile enough, tie the gown 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 plan on walking around. However, if you will be lying down, you may prefer to leave the waist strings untied to avoid any pressure on your lower back.
If you are uncomfortable in your hospital gown, you can ask for a second gown to wear over the first to provide extra coverage.
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