Logan Reid
Hospital gowns are a common clothing item for patients, designed to provide easy access for medical procedures and examinations, while also offering comfort and dignity. They come in a variety of styles, colours, materials, and designs, with the two most common types being the straight up-and-down style and the wrap style. The process of putting on a hospital gown can be tricky, and each style of gown has slightly different instructions, so it's important to understand the type of gown you have been given and follow any staff instructions carefully.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Functional and necessary garment for patients undergoing treatment or examination |
| Design | Easy access for medical procedures, with varying styles, materials, and designs |
| Fabric | Cotton, paper, or thin plastic |
| Fastening | Ties, snaps, buttons, poppers, or Velcro |
| Sleeves | Short or long sleeves |
| Length | Usually just below the knees |
| Underwear | Allowed in most cases |
| Privacy | Two gowns can be worn, one facing front and the other back |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of gown
Hospital gowns are designed to cater to patient comfort, dignity, and coverage, while also providing ease of access for healthcare workers.
There are two main types of hospital gowns: medical gowns and patient gowns. Medical gowns are worn by doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, and are designed to offer protection and coverage. Patient gowns, on the other hand, are designed with the patient's comfort and dignity in mind, while still allowing easy access for medical procedures.
Within the category of patient gowns, there are several different types:
- Classic patient gown: The front panel provides full coverage, while the back is cut down the middle, allowing for easy donning and doffing. These gowns usually have neck and waist ties at the back, although some versions use snaps instead of ties.
- Snap-front gown: A variation of the classic gown, snap-front gowns provide access to the chest and abdominal area while maintaining patient dignity. They are typically made from lightweight and breathable materials like cotton or poly-cotton blends.
- Wrap style: This style provides more coverage but may hinder clinician access to patients.
- IV gowns: These 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 gowns: These are designed for individuals with bladder or bowel control issues. They are made from waterproof or absorbent materials and often include features like built-in absorbent pads or snap closures.
- Lapover gown: This gown fastens with colour-coded ties at the waist and neck, providing coverage for patients.
In recent years, hospitals have been moving towards more user-friendly and dignified designs, away from the traditional tie-in-the-back gowns that have been criticised for being uncomfortable and exposing.
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How to put it on
Hospital gowns can be tricky to put on, but the process is quite straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to put on a paper hospital gown:
Identify the Type of Gown:
Firstly, identify the type of gown you have. Hospital gowns typically come in two styles: 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, providing more coverage.
Undress:
Before putting on the hospital gown, you will need to undress. In most cases, you can keep your underwear on unless the doctor has instructed otherwise. If only a specific part of your body needs to be accessed, you may be able to keep your shirt or pants on and simply drape the gown over the rest of your body.
Put on the Gown:
If you have a straight up-and-down gown, turn it so that it completely covers your front, unless instructed otherwise by a doctor. 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 it in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head.
For a wrap-style gown, slip into the gown with the gaps facing the front. Wrap gowns usually don't have a neck tie but have two waist ties.
Secure the Gown:
Tie the laces behind your neck in a bow, ensuring it is not double-knotted. Then, tie the lower laces at your waist. If your gown ties in the front, pull the lower tie to the front and tie it with the back tie in a bow near your hip, providing more coverage at the back. Make sure the gown is securely fastened but comfortable.
Additional Tips:
If you feel exposed, you can ask for a second gown to wear as a robe. You can also request to wear pants or underwear for additional comfort and privacy, depending on your procedure. If you are going to be lying down, consider leaving the waist ties untied or loosening them to avoid any pressure on your lower back.
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What to wear underneath
What you wear underneath a hospital gown depends on the type of procedure or treatment you are undergoing. For example, the clothing you wear underneath for surgery on your hand would differ from the clothing you wear for childbirth. In most cases, you will be allowed to wear standard underwear underneath your hospital gown. However, this is dependent on the access needed by medical practitioners.
If you are wearing a straight up-and-down gown, you can turn it so that it completely covers your front, unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise. You can then 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, you can tie the gown in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head.
If you are wearing a wrap-style gown, slip into the gown with the gaps facing the front. Wrap gowns do not have a neck tie but have two waist ties. You can leave the waist ties untied if you will be lying down, as the knot can dig into your lower back. If you will be walking around, you may prefer to tie the waist strings behind you.
In many cases, you will be able to leave your bra and/or underwear on underneath the hospital gown, unless otherwise noted by the doctor. If only your top or bottom half is being examined, you might be able to leave your shirt or trousers on and simply drape the hospital gown over the rest of your body. You should follow the staff's instructions for how much to disrobe before putting on the hospital gown.
If you have a catheter or a medical device in your lower body, you may not be able to put on trousers underneath your gown.
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How to take it off
To take off a paper hospital gown, you will need to reverse the steps you followed when putting it on.
First, untie or unsnap the fastenings carefully. If your gown has ties at the neck and waist, untie them. If your gown has snaps, simply unsnap them. If you are unable to do this on your own, ask a nurse or caregiver for assistance.
Next, remove your arms from the sleeves. If you are wearing a straight up-and-down style gown, simply slip your arms out of the sleeves. If you are wearing a wrap-style gown, you will need to unwrap the gown and then slip your arms out.
Finally, step out of the gown and place it in the dirty laundry receptacle. Hospital staff will usually direct you on where to place the gown.
It is important to note that you should not double knot the ties when putting on the gown, as this will make it difficult to untie when taking it off. Additionally, make sure to follow any specific instructions provided by the hospital staff for wearing and removing the gown.
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Ask for help
Hospital gowns can be tricky to put on and take off, and you may need to ask for help. If you are confused about how to put on your hospital gown or need assistance, don't hesitate to ask a caregiver, nurse, or doctor for help. They can guide you through the process while maintaining your dignity and comfort.
If you are wearing a straight up-and-down gown, you may need help ensuring that it completely covers your front and that your arms are correctly positioned through the sleeves. With this style of gown, you will also need to tie the neck strings behind your head, which can be challenging to do without assistance. If you have limited upper body mobility, you may require help tying the neck strings in front of your chest and then slipping them over your head.
Wrap-style gowns, which have two fabric panels that overlap at an angle, can also be tricky to put on. These gowns typically have waist ties that can be difficult to reach and secure without assistance.
In addition to helping with the gown itself, caregivers or nurses can provide guidance on what clothing, if any, you should remove before putting on the gown. They can advise you on whether you can leave on your bra, underwear, shirt, or pants, depending on the specific medical examination or procedure you are undergoing.
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Frequently asked questions
First, identify the type of gown you have. Most hospital gowns have two panels that meet in the middle on one side. If you have a straight up-and-down gown, turn it so that it completely covers your front, slip your arms into the sleeves, and pull it up to your neck. If you have upper body mobility, tie the neck strings behind your head. If not, tie it in front of your chest and then slip the strings over your head. Wrap gowns are slightly different as they don’t have a neck tie but they do have two waist ties. Slip into the hospital gown with the gaps facing the front.
What you wear underneath your hospital gown depends on why you are visiting the hospital. 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. However, if your chest or genitals are being examined, you may need to remove your underwear.
Most hospital gowns have two sets of laces at your neck and waist. Tie them as if you were fastening an apron. If your gown has lower ties that tie in the front, pull the lower tie around to the front and tie them together in a bow.
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