Could this be the end of the backside-incompatible hospital gown?

Let’s not overlook one of the great technological advances at the new Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute: The Model G hospital gowns, developed at the Henry Ford Innovation Institute in Detroit, with full wrap-around coverage, plastic snaps instead of cloth ties and a thicker cotton-poplin blend. They were introduced at the Bone & Joint Institute as it opened Jan. 9, funded by the Hartford Hospital Auxiliary’s $35,000 donation, says Peter Nagel, system director of Laundry and Linen Services. In early 2017, the gowns will be used by maternity patients at Hartford Hospital, followed by other hospitals. (Hartford HealthCare has exclusive rights to the gowns in the state for six months, says Janette Edwards, vice president of Operational Integration.

“While this gown is not suitable or practical for all areas of the hospital,” says Nagel, “all inpatient units can anticipate seeing this gown as we phase it in over the next year.”
The breakthrough feature, of course, is full coverage of the patient’s backside. The gowns, introduced last year  at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, are being called the first major-release hospital gown redesign in almost a century. That’s 100 years of patient overexposure and fashion discomfort.

“From a patient-care standpoint,” says Nagel, “this gown has several advantages. A high level of patient satisfaction. No more embarrassing ‘exposed backsides.’ The ability to adjust the fit based on a patient’s size. And the novelty of being the first healthcare system in Connecticut to offer this type of gown to our patients.”

The closed-back design includes a fold-over access panel, with snaps on the that side can turn a size medium into an extra large. The double-breasted front has three snaps, instead of the cloth ties, to close the gown. Despite the robe-like fit, medical professionals say the gowns allow full access for IVs and other medical lines. The gowns, like a new drug, were tested in a series of clinical trials at Henry Ford Hospitals.

“Our No. 1 goal was to close the backside of the gown with our design,” says Michael Forbes, a Henry Ford Innovation Institute product designer.

The Model G, a nod to the Ford Motor Co.’s  Model T automobile that revolutionized the industry in the early 1900s, was initially manufactured by Carhartt, another Detroit company, before the Henry Ford Health System signed an agreement last year with Medline Industries, a medical-supply company in Mundelein, Ill., to manufacture, market and distribute the gowns.

Nagel, in his big-picture view, actually sees how this innovative gown fits into Hartford HealthCare’s values:

Integrity: “Use of this gown eliminates the potential embarrassment to patients caused by ‘exposed backsides’ and an improperly sized patient gown.”

Caring: “Demonstrates to patients and their families that we do care about the satisfaction and comfort of our patients.”

Excellence: “Demonstrates a ‘best practice’ scenario not only to patients and their families, but also to our staff, as well, in that we will continue to think ‘outside the box’ for the benefit of the folks in our care. This is the best product available at this time. Being the first hospital in Connecticut to offer this product only emphasizes this aspect.”

Safety: “Use of this gown would eliminate a potential ‘trip hazard’ from an improperly tied or secured patient gown.”