Patient gown

Abstract

A poncho-like patient gown is described. This gown comprises an essentially rectangular fabric sheet having a center aperture. The aperture is adapted to fit over the head of the patient, causing the front and back panels of the sheet to drape downward from the patient's shoulders and cover the torso of the patient. Closure means, such as a sash, gather the panels about the torso to preserve patient modesty.

1 . A patient gown comprising an essentially rectangular sheet of water-permeable material, said sheet having a center aperture adapted to fit over the head of said patient, causing said sheet to drape from the patient's shoulders, thereby defining front and back sheet panels which cover the torso of said patient and closure means for detachably gathering said panels about said torso.  
   
   
       2 . The gown of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet comprises cotton fabric.  
   
   
       3 . The gown of  claim 2 , wherein the closure means comprises an elongated sash for circumscribing the torso of the patient and gathering said panels about said torso.  
   
   
       4 . The gown of  claim 3 , wherein the center aperture is oval shaped.  
   
   
       5 . The gown of  claim 3 , wherein the closure means comprises an elongated sash affixed to one of said panels, the two ends of said sash being adapted to circumscribe the torso of the patient for gathering said panels about said torso.  
   
   
       6 . The gown of  claim 3 , wherein the closure means comprises a set of two elongated sashes, one end of each of said sashes being affixed to one of said panels, the other two ends being adapted to circumscribe the torso of the patient for gathering said panels about said torso.  
   
   
       7 . The gown of  claim 6 , wherein there is a second set of two elongate sashes, one end of each of said sashes being affixed to the second of said panels, the other two ends being adapted to circumscribe the torso of the patient for detachably gathering said panels about said torso.  
   
   
       8 . In a method for treatment of the torso of a patient by a medical provider, the improvement wherein said patient at least disrobes to said patient's undergarments and then adorns the gown of  claim 1  for said treatment.  
   
   
       9 . In a method for treatment of the torso of a patient by a medical provider, the improvement wherein said patient at least disrobes to said patient's undergarments and then adorns the gown of  claim 2  for said treatment.  
   
   
       10 . In a method for treatment of the torso of a patient by a medical provider, the improvement wherein said patient at least disrobes to said patient's undergarments and then adorns the gown of  claim 3  for said treatment.  
   
   
       11 . In a method for treatment of the torso of a clothed patient by a medical provider, the improvement wherein said patient at least disrobes to said patient's undergarments and then adorns the gown of  claim 6  for said treatment.  
   
   
       12 . In a method for treatment of the torso of a patient by a medical provider, the improvement wherein said patient at least disrobes to said patient's undergarments and then adorns the gown of  claim 7  for said treatment.