How to Wear Medical Surgical Gowns Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Wear Medical Surgical Gowns Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide
December 27, 2025
Proper donning of medical surgical gowns is more than just a routine—it’s a critical step in maintaining sterility, preventing cross-contamination, and ensuring the safety of both healthcare providers and patients in operating rooms. Even high-quality gowns can fail to protect if worn incorrectly. This guide breaks down the step-by-step process of wearing a medical surgical gown, along with key tips for compliance.
First, prepare the pre-donning environment and attire. Ensure you’re in a designated sterile area, with clean hands thoroughly washed and dried. Put on a surgical cap to cover all hair and a face mask that fits snugly over your nose and mouth—these are prerequisites to avoid contaminating the gown. Remove any jewelry or accessories that could tear the gown or harbor microorganisms.
Next, begin donning the gown. Unfold the sterile surgical gown carefully, ensuring it doesn’t touch any non-sterile surfaces (e.g., tables, floors). Hold the gown by the neckband or shoulder seams with both hands, allowing it to open fully. Step into the gown, sliding your arms through the sleeves without touching the outer (sterile) surface of the gown. Keep your hands inside the sleeve cuffs to avoid accidental contamination—do not let your bare hands extend beyond the cuffs at this stage.
Once your arms are in place, a trained assistant (wearing appropriate PPE) will help secure the gown. The assistant should tie the neckband first, then the waist ties—ensuring the gown fits snugly but doesn’t restrict movement. For gowns with a sterile front, confirm that the gown covers your torso from neck to knees and your arms to the wrists. If using a gown with thumb loops, slide your thumbs through the loops to keep the cuffs in place before putting on surgical gloves.
Key post-donning reminders: Avoid adjusting the gown or touching non-sterile areas after donning. If the gown becomes torn, wet, or contaminated during the procedure, replace it immediately. After the procedure, remove the gown in a controlled manner (starting from the waist ties, then neckband) to minimize contamination risk. By following these steps, healthcare providers ensure the gown’s protective barrier remains intact, upholding the highest standards of surgical safety.
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