5 Easy Steps to Tie a Hospital Gown ~ future.housing.org.uk

Have you ever wondered if there’s a right way to tie a hospital gown? Most patients wear them during their hospital stay. But what if there’s a more comfortable or secure way to tie it? Tying a hospital gown correctly can contribute to a patient’s comfort and well-being while receiving medical care. Therefore, this article will provide step-by-step guidance on how to tie a hospital gown effectively, ensuring both comfort and practicality.

Firstly, consider the type of hospital gown you have. There are two common types: open-back and closed-back gowns. Open-back gowns have an opening in the back, while closed-back gowns do not. If you have an open-back gown, you will need to tie the strings at the neck and waist. To tie the strings at the neck, cross them over each other and bring them to the back of your neck. Then, tie them in a square knot. To tie the strings at the waist, wrap them around your waist and tie them in a square knot as well. If you have a closed-back gown, you will only need to tie the strings at the neck. To do this, cross the strings over each other and bring them to the back of your neck. Then, tie them in a square knot.

Once you have tied the strings, you can adjust the gown to make sure it is comfortable. The gown should be loose enough to allow for movement, but not so loose that it falls off. You can also adjust the neckline of the gown by untying the strings at the neck and re-tying them higher or lower. Finally, if you are going to be out of bed, you can tie the sleeves of the gown together at the back to prevent them from getting in the way.

Preparing the Gown

Before tying a hospital gown, it is essential to prepare it properly to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. Here are detailed steps on how to prepare the gown:

1. Gather the Gown Material:
– Unfold the hospital gown and lay it flat on a surface.
– Ensure that the gown is clean and free of any rips or tears.
– Position the gown with the neck opening facing you and the armholes on either side.

2. Identify the Ties:
– Look for the ties attached to the back of the gown.
– The gown should have two or three ties:
– Two shorter ties for tying around the waist.
– One longer tie for tying around the neck.

3. Pre-Tie the Neck Tie:
– Take the longer tie and create a loose knot at one end.
– Slip the knotted end over your head and adjust it to a comfortable neck tightness.
– Let the other end of the tie hang loose at the back of your neck.

Positioning Yourself

Before you begin tying the hospital gown, it’s essential to position yourself correctly:

Open the gown and place it on a flat surface like a bed: Ensure the gown is open end-to-end, with the ties at the neck and waist.
Position yourself in the center of the gown: Stand or sit in the middle of the open gown, facing the closed end.
Grab the neck ties and step into the gown: Holding the neck ties in each hand, lift the gown over your head and step into it.
Adjust the ties: Pull the neck ties to the back of your neck and tighten them securely. This step is particularly important for keeping the gown securely in place.
Cross the back ties and bring them to the front: Once the neck ties are adjusted, cross them behind your back and bring them to the front of your body.
Wrap the left tie around the right tie and through the left loop: Take the left tie and wrap it around the right tie, then pass it through the loop on the left side of the gown.
Repeat on the other side: Repeat the same step on the other side, wrapping the right tie around the left tie and through the right loop.
Tighten both ties: Pull on both ties simultaneously to tighten the gown at the waist and secure it snugly around your body.
Tie a second knot for added security: For extra stability, tie a second knot over the first one.

Passing the Ties Through the Loops

Once you have created the two loops, it’s time to thread the ties through them. Take one end of one of the ties and insert it through the loop on the opposite side of the gown neck opening. Pull the tie through until the end is even with the loop. Repeat this step with the other end of the tie through the remaining loop.

Now you have two ties hanging down from the neck opening. Cross the right-hand tie over the left-hand tie and pull it down behind the left-hand tie. Repeat this motion: cross the right-hand tie over the left-hand tie and pull it down behind the left-hand tie. As you continue, the ties will start to tighten and secure the gown around your neck.

Continue crossing the right-hand tie over the left-hand tie until the desired tightness is achieved. Once the desired tightness is achieved, tie the two ties together in a knot. This will ensure that the gown remains securely closed.

To summarize the steps:

Step	Action
1	Thread one end of the tie through the loop on the opposite side of the gown neck opening.
2	Repeat with the other end of the tie through the remaining loop.
3	Cross the right-hand tie over the left-hand tie and pull it down behind the left-hand tie. Repeat until the desired tightness is achieved.
4	Tie the two ties together in a knot.

Securing the Neck Ties

Once the shoulder ties are in place, you can proceed to secure the neck ties. These ties are located at the back of the neck and are used to prevent the gown from slipping off your shoulders. Follow these steps to secure the neck ties:

Locate the two neck ties at the back of the neck.
Cross the right tie over the left tie.
Bring the left tie up and over the right tie.
Pull both ties through the loop created in step 3. This will form a secure knot that will
hold the gown in place.
Tighten the knot by pulling on both ends of the ties. Make sure the gown is snug but not
too tight.

Tying the Back Ties

Once you have tied the neck ties, it’s time to secure the back of the hospital gown. Follow these steps to tie the back ties correctly:

1. Cross the Ties

Cross the two long ties over each other, with the left tie going over the right tie.

2. Loop the Left Tie

Take the left tie and loop it over the right tie, creating a small loop near the top.

3. Pull the Right Tie Through

Pull the right tie up through the loop you just created.

4. Tighten the Knot

Pull on both ties to tighten the knot, but don’t make it too tight.

5. Conceal the Knot

This step provides an extra layer of security and a more aesthetically pleasing appearance:

Gather the excess ties near the knot.
Take the bottom portion of the knot and pull it upwards through the hole.
Tighten the bottom portion to form a second knot that conceals the first knot.
Tuck the excess fabric around the second knot, ensuring it lies flat.

This method effectively secures the back of the hospital gown, prevents it from accidentally untying during movement, and enhances the wearer’s comfort.

6. Double-Knot for Added Security

For added peace of mind, you can double-knot the ties by repeating steps 2-4 with the newly formed knot.

Making a Bow with the Front Ties

This method is simple and creates a secure bow that won’t come undone easily. Here’s how to do it:

Hold the gown together in front of you, with the ties hanging down.
Cross the right tie over the left tie and bring it behind the left tie.
Pull the right tie through the loop created by the left tie.
Tighten the knot by pulling on both ties simultaneously.
Bring the right tie over the left tie again, but this time bring it in front of the left tie.
Pull the right tie through the loop created by the left tie, as shown in the table below:

Step 5: Pull the right tie through the loop

Tighten the bow by pulling on both tails of the ties.

Adjusting the Gown for Comfort

1. Tie the neck straps together

Once you have the gown on, bring the neck straps together. Tie them firmly, but not too tightly. You want the gown to fit snugly, but you don’t want to choke yourself.

2. Tie the waist ties together

Next, tie the waist ties together. Just like with the neck straps, you want to tie them firmly, but not too tightly. The gown should fit snugly around your waist, but you should still be able to move around comfortably.

3. Adjust the sleeves

The sleeves of a hospital gown are typically long. You can adjust them to fit your arms by rolling them up. Start by rolling them up at the wrists. Then, continue rolling them up until they are the desired length.

4. Adjust the length

The length of a hospital gown can be adjusted by tying the ties on the sides. If the gown is too long, tie the ties shorter. If the gown is too short, tie the ties longer.

5. Make sure the gown is not too tight

The gown should fit snugly, but it should not be too tight. If the gown is too tight, it can restrict your movement and make you uncomfortable.

6. Make sure the gown is not too loose

The gown should not be too loose either. If the gown is too loose, it can fall off or get caught on things. Either of these scenarios could be uncomfortable or even dangerous.

7. Check the fit of the gown periodically

The fit of the gown can change throughout the day. As you move around, the gown may loosen or tighten. Be sure to check the fit of the gown periodically and make adjustments as needed.

Removing the Gown

Once you are ready to remove your hospital gown, follow these steps:

Untie the strings at the back of your neck.
Open the gown up in the front.
Step out of the gown, allowing it to fall down around your feet.
Pick up the gown and fold it in half, lengthwise.
Fold the gown in half again, widthwise.
Continue folding the gown until it is a small, compact square.
Dispose of the gown in the designated laundry bin.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Tips for Removing the Gown

If possible, have assistance from a nurse or family member when removing your gown.
Take your time and be gentle, especially if you have any injuries or IV lines.
Do not let the gown touch the floor. This will help to prevent the spread of infection.

Alternative Tying Methods

There are additional methods besides the traditional waist tie for securing a hospital gown, some of which provide increased comfort or functionality.

1. Over-the-Shoulder Tie

This method is designed to prevent the gown from falling open at the front. Bring the two side ties over your shoulders and tie them together behind your neck.

2. Cross-Chest Tie

This provides extra coverage and support. Cross the two side ties in front of your chest and tie them behind your back.

3. Arm-Loop Tie

This method is ideal for patients with limited mobility or during procedures that require access to the back. Bring the side ties up to your shoulders and loop them through your arms, then tie them together at the back.

4. Drawstring Tie

Some gowns feature a drawstring closure instead of ties. Simply pull the drawstring tight and secure it with a knot.

5. Snap Closure

Certain gowns may have snaps along the back opening. Simply fasten the snaps to secure the gown.

6. Velcro Closure

Similar to snaps, Velcro closures offer an easy and secure way to fasten the gown.

7. Magnetic Closure

Magnetic closures are becoming increasingly common in medical gowns. They provide a quick and convenient way to fasten the gown, especially during procedures that require frequent gown changes.

8. Button Closure

Some gowns have traditional button closures along the back opening.

9. Nursing Tie

This method is designed for healthcare professionals to quickly and easily secure a gown while performing patient care. Bring the side ties behind you and cross them over each other. Wrap the left tie over the right tie and pull it through the loop created by the crossed ties. Tighten the knot and tuck the excess tie under the gown.

Steps	Description
1	Bring side ties behind you
2	Cross ties over
3	Wrap left tie over right
4	Pull left tie through loop
5	Tighten knot
6	Tuck excess tie

Tips for Different Body Types

Each body type has its own unique needs when it comes to tying a hospital gown. Here are some tips to help you achieve the most comfortable and secure fit:

Large Bust: Cross the back ties over your chest and bring them around to the front. Tie them securely at the waist, creating a snug but not too tight fit. This will help support your breasts and prevent the gown from slipping.

Long Torso: Wrap the back ties around your waist twice before bringing them to the front. Tie them securely to prevent the gown from riding up. You may also want to tuck the bottom of the gown into the waist for a more secure fit.

Short Torso: Tie the back ties at the waist as usual, but do not wrap them around twice. This will help keep the gown in place and prevent it from bunching up.

Broad Shoulders: Cross the back ties over your shoulders and bring them around to the front. Tie them securely at the waist, but be careful not to pull them too tightly. This will help accommodate your broad shoulders without restricting your movement.

Narrow Shoulders: Tie the back ties at the waist as usual, but leave them a bit loose. This will help create a more relaxed fit and prevent the gown from rubbing against your shoulders.

Petite: Wrap the back ties around your waist twice before bringing them to the front. Tie them securely to prevent the gown from dragging on the floor. You may also want to adjust the neckline of the gown to ensure that it fits comfortably.

Plus-Size: Cross the back ties over your chest and bring them around to the front. Tie them securely at the waist, creating a snug but not too tight fit. You may need to use a longer piece of string or ribbon to tie the back ties.

Pregnant: Tie the back ties at the waist as usual, but leave them a bit loose. This will allow for some room for your growing baby bump. You may also want to tuck the bottom of the gown into the waist for a more secure fit.

Post-Surgery: If you have had surgery, you may need to tie your gown in a way that minimizes discomfort. Ask your doctor or nurse for specific instructions on how to do this.

Additional Tips:

If the gown is too loose, it may cause unnecessary movement, which can lead to discomfort.
If the gown is too tight, it may restrict your movement or cause pain.
Once you have tied the gown, make sure that it is comfortable and does not restrict your breathing or movement.
If you’re having difficulty tying the gown, ask a nurse or other healthcare professional for assistance.


Body Type	Tying Instructions
Large Bust	Cross back ties over chest, bring around to front, tie at waist.
Long Torso	Wrap back ties around waist twice, bring to front, tie securely.
Short Torso	Tie back ties at waist, do not wrap twice.
Broad Shoulders	Cross back ties over shoulders, bring to front, tie at waist.

How To Tie A Hospital Gown

A hospital gown is a loose-fitting, often open-backed garment worn by patients in hospitals. It is designed to provide easy access to the patient’s body for medical examinations and procedures. Hospital gowns are typically made of a lightweight, breathable material such as cotton or polyester.

To tie a hospital gown, follow these steps:

Put on the gown and make sure it is centered on your body. The back of the gown should be open.
Take the two ties at the neck of the gown and cross them over each other.
Bring the ties around to the back of your neck and cross them over each other again.
Tie the ties in a square knot.
Fold the excess ties down to the bottom of the gown.

Your hospital gown is now tied.

5 Easy Steps to Tie a Hospital Gown