Hospital Gown / Hospital Socks / Surgical Bra

If you're looking for products designed to keep patients safe and comfortable, you're in the right place; whether you need a patient gown, hospital socks, or a mastectomy bra, we have the products you want. The most common types of hospital and patient apparel includes the following:

• Hospital Gowns
• Exam Gowns
• Hospital Socks
• Surgical Bras
• Aprons
• Hip Protectors
• Patient Identification Bands

Hospital Gowns: A Quick Guide

Although patient gowns are commonly referred to as hospital gowns, they are also used by home care specialists and other healthcare facilities.

A patient with a lower-body injury, or a bedridden or disabled patient, will be asked to wear such a gown since it is quick to put on and allows for easy access to the injured area so nurses can provide the most effective care.

A subtype of patient gowns is exam gowns, which are worn by patients during medical exams.

Most patient gowns, including exam gowns, have either short sleeves or no sleeves at all to allow for quick IV access and provide additional comfort.

Hospital gowns often provide the wearer with the following features:

• Pockets: This gives the patient space to keep important things on hand.
• Attractive Prints: Patients enjoy wearing these printed scrub gowns as an alternative to more drab, solid color options.
• Latex-free: This is important for individuals who are sensitive to latex.

Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about hospital gowns.

How to Put on a Hospital Gown

Centered patient gowns feature ties or other closures down the center, while wraparound patient gowns have a generous overlap in the back to allow for full coverage and maximum freedom of movement.

Donning wraparound hospital gowns is self-intuitive, but when using a centered closure gown, people are often confused how to wear them. Do hospital gowns open in front or back? Where do those little ties go? For patients who have spent much of their lives in and out of hospitals, this question may seem obvious, but for those who thankfully have less experience, this is a very valid question and the answer depends on what type of exam will be done.

In general, patients will be told to don their patient gown with the opening in back. However, these gowns can actually be worn either way and, in some cases, such as during breast or abdominal exams, patients may be asked to leave the front open instead. In such a case, a nurse will usually provide a disposable drape for added privacy.

Why Do Hospital Gowns Open in the Back?

Most hospitals provide centered patient gowns that leave patients feeling overexposed and patients are quick to complain about this lack of dignity.

It may help these patients to know that hospital gowns are uniquely challenging to design because of the conflicting needs of patients and caregivers; while patients generally prefer a gown that provides more coverage, care providers require as much access as possible to the patient’s body to facilitate physical examination. In addition, by making them virtually backless, they become easier to get on and off so that caregivers can have them changed easily when soiled, whereas regular clothing and full-coverage gowns would make this process significantly more time-consuming and labor-intensive for the caregiver. This is especially important for patients with impaired mobility, who can be nearly impossible to change in and out of regular clothing.

Although the discomfort of patients (particularly ambulatory patients) is understandable, it is important to keep in mind that whether or not they will be changed by others, if a patient’s health status warrants a hospital stay, they are in a state that requires monitoring. For this reason, safety and functionality needs to come before comfort, and easy access must be the number one priority in the design of any patient gown.

Nevertheless, some modern hospital gowns, referred to as full-coverage gowns, attempt to reach a balance between these needs by featuring short sleeves, quick open methods, and roomy while still offering ample coverage all around. These gowns provide quick access for IV lines, patient checkups or procedures and, in the case of new mothers, feeding an infant. At the same time, their overlap or wraparound style gives fuller, more dignified coverage where it is desired by patients.

Can You Bring Your Own Hospital Gown?

Do you have to wear a hospital gown? The answer to this question very much depends on your situation, including your condition and the rules of your healthcare facility. Hospitals tend to stock centered patient gowns instead of the patient-preferred overlap style since such gowns are less universal and hospitals would then be required to stock multiple sizes to accommodate larger torsos. In general, patients who bring along their own full-coverage gowns in place of the more revealing hospital gown type are allowed to use them. Some patients may even be allowed to wear their own clothes.

It is important to note, however, that when a gown is necessary or recommended, full-coverage gowns are still a second-best option; clinicians still prefer standard hospital gowns because at the end of the day, these gowns provide easiest access to a patient’s vitals. For example, almost every patient will have their respiratory system assessed, so clinicians will need to be able to reach the posterior thorax, the abdomen, and the chest.

In addition, full-coverage gowns may be problematic for bedridden patients who tend to slide in bed, since the movement would cause these gowns to ride up, leaving the patient uncomfortable and increasing the risk of bed sores.

Are Hospital Gowns Reused?

There are disposable patient gowns and reusable ones; the disposable ones should never be used more than once and must be disposed of properly so as to avoid hospital infections. Reusable hospital gowns should be washed well between patient use, so that they are thoroughly sterilized. Reusable gowns are more common because of their cost-effectiveness, but disposable gowns may sometimes be necessary for high-risk patients.

What Material Are Hospital Gowns Made Of?

Standard patient gowns are designed with durable, budget-friendly, and preferably lightweight material. A spunbonded scrub gown provides basic protection and is a common option for patient use.

Hospital Socks

Every person appreciates having a cozy pair of socks to wear, and seniors and hospital patients are no different. AvaCare Medical recognizes this, and offers options for everyone, but especially for patients.

Hospital socks specifically are worn by patients for both comfort and practicality purposes. These specialty socks, known as non slip socks, feature treads which provide the wearer’s feet with a steady grip and prevent the occurrence of slips or falls when walking, standing up, or sitting down.

AvaCare Medical offers a large selection of non skid socks; we have options for everyone. Most have soft soles for a flexible and roomier wear, but some, like the Pillow Paws Slippers, feature hard soles for optimal safety. There are comfy cotton hospital socks, stretchable styles, cute slipper socks with eye-catching paw prints on the bottom, and anti slip socks that reach right above the ankle. Non slip socks come in several colors, and hospitals often use the varied hues as a color code; each color stands for a different level of fall-risk warning.

Surgical Bras

A quality post surgical bra that’s crafted from a seamless, breathable fabric provides women with comfortable support after breast surgery. Post-surgery bras at AvaCare Medical offer the perfect amount of necessary compression to the surgical area, and can be worn after a lumpectomy, mastectomy, biopsy, or other breast-related surgical procedure. They are designed to give the wearer’s upper body a natural, typical appearance, but not only are they aesthetically pleasing; they also enhance the healing process and prevent wound irritation.

Other Hospital Apparel

Aside from these basic essentials, AvaCare Medical also carries exam capes, exam shorts, patient belongings bags, patient identification bands, sleep masks, shower ponchos, hip protectors, and other clothing and accessories worn by hospital patients.

And a final note: When looking for any hospital apparel, one thing to always keep in mind is pricing. At AvaCare Medical, we offer unbeatable pricing, so patients and caregivers can get the quality, comfort, and convenience they need at prices they can afford.