Focus on the Dignity Gown

Many of our customers have been overjoyed to have found a gown that ticks all the boxes! This aptly named “Dignity gown” was designed and manufactured to enable healthcare providers to offer dignity in patient care.

Dignity – “the state of being worthy of respect”

Patients tend to feel vulnerable already, because being physically or mentally unwell causes extra stress and strain for many people. Therefore, being able to cover up properly wearing a comfortable and well-made gown makes all the difference to the patient’s experience. These gowns are ideal for all patient examinations, likewise for a quick scan, a day medical procedure or even a hospital stay overnight.

Watch the video

To see the Dignity gown in use is probably the easiest way to appreciate the features that it offers. Watch our brief video to learn more.

Patient gown development

The Dignity gown was designed by our team in collaboration with nursing staff on two wards at Nottingham City Hospital. In designing the new gown, the goal was to help 3 groups of stakeholders: Patients, Nursing staff and Laundry teams.

Patients’ needs were identified as needing a gown that was easy to put on, simple to tie, reduce the risk of exposure and most importantly preserve privacy and dignity.

The nursing staff needed a gown that was multi-purpose and suitable for both mobile and bed-bound patients. The gown also needed to provide easy access to the body for examinations and procedures.

Laundry staff requested that the gown should have no “poppers” or buttons. They also pointed out that it should be reliable, durable fabric that could be laundered at hot thermal disinfection temperature and withstand repeat washing.

After a couple of rounds of design changes, prototype testing and repeat consultation with the nursing staff, the Dignity gown that we offer today fulfils all the requirements mentioned above.

Dignity in patient care: delivered

The gown combines the features of a standard patient gown and a dressing gown, to make one which is fully reversible. This increases the ability to access the body and makes the gown more versatile for different situations. We also reduced the number of ties and positioned them to be as easy as possible for the patient to secure the ties without any help.

One final, unique finish was added which converted the sleeves from a standard wide short sleeve to a “butterfly” design. This shape not only looks more attractive but most importantly enables the nursing staff to attach IV equipment easily, without the gown getting in the way.