Ethan Rhodes
Hospital gowns are worn by patients for various medical procedures, ranging from routine exams to surgeries. They are designed to provide easy access to the patient's body for examinations or procedures while also catering to the patient's comfort and dignity. There are several types of hospital gowns, including the classic patient gown with a front panel and an open back, snap-front gowns, wrap-style gowns, lapover gowns, dignity gowns, popper gowns, pullover gowns, and disposable gowns. While hospital gowns are often associated with embarrassment and discomfort due to their open back design, some hospitals have introduced alternative designs that prioritize patient dignity and modesty without compromising functionality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Access to the body for medical professionals, protecting the patient's clothes from bodily fluids, protecting the wearer from infection or illness, and patient comfort, dignity, and coverage. |
| Design | Open back, lightweight, breathable, full coverage in the front, secured with ties, made of cotton or poly-cotton blends, with pockets, and a pouch for cardio equipment. |
| Alternative Designs | Front or side openings, drawstring pants, cotton tops, and boxers, wraparound robes, bathrobe-like ties, cloth laces, snaps along the shoulders, and three-arm togas. |
| Usage | Used for various medical procedures, from routine exams to surgeries, and for inpatients and outpatients. |
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What You'll Learn
Hospital gowns are disliked by patients and staff
Hospital gowns, also known as patient gowns, are a source of discomfort and dissatisfaction for both patients and staff. The traditional design, with its open back and lightweight fabric, has been criticised for exposing patients' buttocks and providing little warmth, leading to feelings of embarrassment and discomfort.
The original purpose of the hospital gown was to provide a practical solution for medical staff, allowing easy access to the patient's body for examination and treatment while protecting their clothes from bodily fluids. However, the design has come to symbolise a loss of dignity and individuality for patients, as it strips away their personal style and reduces them to a "sick person". The gown's ties, often located at the back, can be difficult to manage, and the lightweight fabric may give an inadequate sense of privacy.
In response to these concerns, some hospitals have offered alternative designs. The Cleveland Clinic, for instance, introduced a new design in 2010, featuring a wrap-around style with a bold graphic print, and a V-neck for added comfort. Other hospitals have collaborated with fashion designers, such as Cynthia Rowley and Diane von Furstenberg, to create more stylish and dignified gowns. These efforts reflect a broader cultural shift towards "person-centred" care, recognising the importance of patient satisfaction and its potential impact on recovery.
While some hospitals are hesitant to adopt new designs due to increased costs, there are simple redesign suggestions that don't have to be expensive. These include changing colour options, fabric types, or choosing gowns with front openings or side snaps, which can provide better coverage and warmth while still allowing necessary access for medical procedures. Additionally, hospitals can cut back on the mandatory use of gowns, informing patients that they can wear their clothes in some cases, as long as they are suitable for medical access and do not hinder treatment.
In conclusion, hospital gowns have long been a source of dissatisfaction for patients and staff due to their impractical design and the sense of embarrassment they invoke. However, with growing awareness of patient experience and the link between dignity and recovery, hospitals are increasingly exploring alternative designs that balance practicality with comfort and style. These efforts are a positive step towards improving patient satisfaction and wellbeing during their medical journeys.
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Gowns are designed for different purposes
There are two main types of hospital gowns: medical gowns and patient gowns. Medical gowns are worn by doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other medical professionals to protect themselves from bodily fluids, germs, and bacteria. They are considered essential personal protective equipment (PPE). Patient gowns, on the other hand, are designed for patients' comfort, dignity, and coverage, while also providing easy access for healthcare workers.
Patient gowns can be further categorized into different types, such as the classic patient gown, which has a front panel for full coverage and an open back for easy donning and doffing. Snap-front gowns are a variation of the classic gown, providing convenient access to the chest and abdomen while maintaining patient dignity. Wrap-style gowns offer more coverage but may hinder clinician access to patients. Disposable patient gowns are usually made of paper and designed for single-use, while fabric gowns are reusable and typically made from cotton, polyester, or a blend of both.
The design of patient gowns has been a topic of discussion, with some people finding them uncomfortable and embarrassing, especially due to the open back design. There have been efforts to redesign hospital gowns, considering factors such as style, cost, durability, comfort, and function. Some hospitals have offered alternatives, including gowns that open in the front or on the side, drawstring pants, and cotton tops. These alternatives aim to balance patient comfort, dignity, and ease of access for medical procedures.
The specific type of gown used depends on the individual's abilities and circumstances and the nature of the medical procedure or examination. Gowns can be adapted to meet different needs, such as the dignity gown, popper gown, or pullover gown, ensuring that patients feel comfortable and respected during their hospital stay.
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![McKesson Disposable Patient Exam Gown [Pack of 50] Latex-Free, Medical, Hospital, Tissue/Polyester, Blue, One Size Fits Most](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71daP5mjSvL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Gowns are not always necessary
Hospital gowns, also known as johnnies, are a long loose piece of clothing worn by patients during operations or when they are bedridden. They are designed to allow medical staff easy access to the patient's body, especially during surgery or when the patient is sedated. However, there has been a growing movement to redesign or even eliminate the use of traditional hospital gowns due to concerns about patient dignity and comfort.
While hospital gowns have been a standard part of medical attire for decades, they have come under increasing scrutiny in recent years. Patients have complained about the discomfort, embarrassment, and loss of dignity associated with wearing traditional gowns, especially those with open backs that expose the buttocks. In response, some hospitals have started offering alternatives, such as wraparound styles, snap fastenings, pockets, and more attractive colours, or even allowing patients to wear their own loose clothing in some cases.
The push for change has also come from within the medical community. Some doctors and nurses recognise that improving patient garb can positively impact patients' physical and mental health. Additionally, hospitals now have a financial incentive to improve patient satisfaction, which includes addressing concerns about uncomfortable and humiliating gowns. As a result, there have been efforts to redesign gowns to be more comfortable, less revealing, and easier to use.
While there are alternatives available, traditional hospital gowns remain the norm due to cost and organisational inertia. Newer designs and alternative clothing options can be more expensive, and hospitals must balance patient comfort with financial constraints. However, some hospitals have successfully implemented redesigned gowns without incurring excessive costs. For example, Birmingham Children's Hospital introduced the Dignity Giving Suit, which was well-received by patients and healthcare professionals, and some hospitals have offered alternatives such as drawstring pants and cotton tops at a higher cost.
In conclusion, while hospital gowns have served a practical purpose in the medical field, they are not always necessary. With changing medical practices and a growing emphasis on patient experience, alternatives to traditional gowns are being explored and implemented in some hospitals. However, the widespread adoption of these alternatives may depend on addressing cost concerns and organisational resistance to change.
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Gown alternatives
Hospital gowns are typically designed to provide easy access to the patient's body, especially when the patient is sedated, and to prevent the patient's clothes from being ruined by bodily fluids. However, many patients dislike the standard hospital gown due to its discomfort and the embarrassment caused by the exposure of their buttocks. As such, some hospitals have started to offer alternatives to the traditional hospital gown.
Some hospitals have implemented gown alternatives that prioritize patient dignity and comfort while still allowing easy access to the patient's body for medical procedures. For example, the Cleveland Clinic introduced a wrap-style gown with a bold graphic print, and a V-neck for easier access to the neck area. The Henry Ford Health System in Detroit collaborated with Carhartt to create a robe called the Model G. Miami fashion designer René Ruiz also designed gowns with specific features for patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital's Miami Transplant Institute.
In addition to designer collaborations, some hospitals have explored other alternatives. The North Carolina State University (NCSU) team received a grant to design a new gown that considered style, cost, durability, comfort, and function. They presented potential designs that addressed issues with the traditional gown's lightweight fabric and back ties. Some hospitals have offered gowns that open in the front or on the side, drawstring pants, cotton tops, and boxers. These alternatives provide more coverage and comfort for patients while still allowing access for medical procedures.
Patients themselves have also come up with creative solutions to the issue of standard hospital gowns. Some patients bring their own clothing items, such as shorts, shirts, nightgowns, or PJ sets, to wear underneath or instead of the hospital gown. This allows them to feel more comfortable and modest while still being accessible for medical examinations.
Another alternative to the traditional hospital gown is the use of adaptive clothes. Adaptive clothes are designed to be easy and quick to put on and take off for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities. These garments can provide added comfort and practicality for patients during their hospital stay.
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Gown redesigns
Gowns are widely used in hospitals as they allow doctors easy access to the patient's body and prevent soiling the patient's clothes with bodily fluids. However, patients often experience embarrassment and discomfort due to the open back of the hospital gown, which exposes their buttocks. This has prompted the emergence of redesigned hospital gowns that aim to balance functionality and patient dignity.
One notable example is the DCS (dignity, comfort, safety) gown designed by Fatima Ba-Alawi, which was honoured at an RCN conference in London in 2009. The DCS gown is reversible, with plastic poppers that facilitate easy changing without moving the patient, and includes side pockets for drips or catheters and a pouch for cardio equipment. Another variation, the Faith Gown, features a detachable headscarf and long sleeves.
In 2010, the Cleveland Clinic hired a designer who created a "wrap design with a bold, graphic print," addressing the need for more modest and dignified options. Ben de Lisi also designed a hospital gown with improved modesty in mind, which was scheduled to be showcased by the Design Council in March 2010.
Some hospitals have offered alternative designs, such as gowns that open in the front or on the side, and drawstring pants, cotton tops, and boxers. These alternatives often come at a higher cost than traditional gowns. The Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, for instance, collaborated with workwear seller Carhartt to create the Model G robe in 2014.
Simple redesigns that don't cost much have also been suggested, such as changing colour options, fabric types, or the style of the gown. For instance, Interweave Textiles offers an innovative three-arm toga that eliminates the need for ties, poppers, or straps, providing an easier way to don the gown.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospital gowns are typically referred to as patient gowns. However, there are several other names used to refer to different types of hospital gowns, including:
- Operation gown
- Lapover gown
- Dignity gown
- Popper gown
- Pullover gown
Hospital gowns are worn by patients to provide easy access to the body for medical examinations and procedures. They also prevent the patient's clothes from getting ruined by bodily fluids.
Hospital gowns are usually made from lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton, polyester, or a blend of both. Disposable hospital gowns are typically made of paper.
Yes, some hospitals offer alternatives to the traditional hospital gown, such as wraparound robes, drawstring pants, cotton tops, and boxers. Adaptive clothes are also available for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities.
