What's the Difference Between a Patient Gown and a Medical Gown?

As patients, we often don't put much thought into the gown we put on when we visit a medical center. After all, they both seem to serve the same purpose of covering our bodies during medical examinations. However, there is a significant difference between patient gowns and medical gowns. In this article, we'll take a closer look at each type of gown and the unique functions that each serves in the medical field.

Patient Gowns

The patient gown is the most common hospital garment worn by patients. Often called hospital gowns, patient gowns are usually made of cotton or polyester material and are usually designed in a loose and comfortable style, giving the patient enough room to move around, while also giving medical professionals easy access for medical exams. They come in a few different styles to provide more convenience and accessibility for the medical staff.

An open-back hospital gown is one such style, exposing a larger backside opening, allowing for easy entrance to medical staff during surgeries, injections, and other medical procedures.

Another style of hospital gown that is gaining popularity is the closed-back hospital gown. This style of hospital gown is made of a thin but durable fabric, which provides enough coverage for the patient while still allowing medical professionals to carry out examinations seamlessly. The closed-back design of this gown ensures that hospital gowns no longer have to cover one's behind, giving patients more dignity and privacy.

Overall, patient gowns serve as the perfect garment for medical facilities, providing a comfortable and functional option for patients, while also allowing medical staff seamless access to the body during examinations.

Medical Gowns

Medical gowns, on the other hand, are specifically designed to protect medical staff from infectious fluids and bacteria during medical exams, procedures, and surgeries. Medical gowns come in three different types, each with a unique purpose. These types include:

1. Reusable (washable) gowns: These gowns can be re-washed, sanitized, and disinfected after each use. They are made with a fabric that's durable and reusable multiple times, thus preserving the overall cost.

2. Disposable (single-use) gowns: As the name suggests, these gowns are thrown away after a single use, usually made up of paper or non woven material, making them lightweight and disposable. The operation theatre gowns are commonly used in sensitive areas like surgical procedures, as they offer excellent protection from bodily fluids, infections, and bacteria.

3. Surgical gowns: Surgical gowns are made of thick and durable fabrics like microfiber or polyester. They are fluid-resistant, intended to protect medical professionals from the spread of infection and other harmful fluids common during surgical procedures.

Overall, medical gowns play a vital role in reducing the spread of infectious bacteria, viruses, and other contagious diseases. Medical professionals rely heavily on medical gowns to keep themselves protected from infection, and ensure that they can carry out their work without putting their health at risk.

In summary, while patient gowns and medical gowns may look alike, they serve two vastly different purposes in the medical field. Patient gowns are designed to provide comfort and convenience to patients while allowing medical personnel to carry out their examinations swiftly. Medical gowns, on the other hand, are designed to provide protection to the medical staff from harmful fluids, infections, and contagious diseases during surgical and medical procedures.

It's important to note that both patient gowns and medical gowns play a significant role in ensuring the overall safety of patients and medical personnel. These gowns help maintain hygiene, protect patients' privacy, and keep medical staff safe from potential exposure to diseases. By understanding the difference between these gowns, we can better appreciate the importance of their role in healthcare and improve the efficacy of medical procedures.