A User-centered Approach to the Redesign of the Patient Hospital Gown

Abstract

Despite the increased attention and success of evidenced-based healthcare design, the patient gown often falls outside of the scope of evidence-based research and has not been adequately examined. The design project discussed here was conducted in collaboration with Park Nicollet Health Services, an integrated healthcare system located in St Louis Park, Minnesota, with support from the Park Nicollet Foundation-Innovation Fund. Through the use of a design process and framework, a new hospital gown design was developed with careful consideration of Park Nicollet's current manufacturing and laundering capabilities, life cycle, and cost of the garment, as well as ease of use for patient and staff, modesty, and esteem. Focus groups guided the designers through the redesign process and allowed for more targeted solutions to the patient gown requirements. Focused redesign efforts are crucial to the development, and improvement, of this widely used article of clothing, however, the widespread adoption of a new patient gown will require further study into the importance of the patient hospital gown on patient satisfaction and recovery.