Traditional patient gowns range from uncomfortable to dehumanizing, past research shows. To improve patient experience, some health systems have rolled out redesigned gowns, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
The gown can provide easy access to a patient’s body. However, “from a patient’s perspective, there are concerns about dignity, autonomy and respect for the body,” Stephanie Bayer, senior director of patient experience at Cleveland Clinic, told the AAMC.
Cleveland Clinic and Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Miami Transplant Institute, as well as several VA hospitals, use redesigned patient gowns, the AAMC reported April 2.
In 2010, Cleveland Clinic hired a designer who created a wrap design with a bold print, and in 2021, Jackson Memorial unveiled custom hospital gowns for post-operation transplant patients.
Redesigning the patient gown can be tricky. Velcro is more durable than fabric laces, but might catch fibers that carry disease; plastic snaps are easier and more stable, but cannot survive the laundry process.
Designs that meet the needs of patients and clinicians include wraparound robes, V-necks and pockets. Learn more here.
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