1999 Volume 55 Issue 11 Pages 1122-1130
A questionnaire was administered to 100 patients to survey their response to gowns worn at the time of chest x-ray examinations. Over 60% of respondents would have preferred to have undergone the examination with their clothes on. They were also concerned about the ease of dressing and undressing, and clean-liness. To create a suitable gown, we evaluated the x-ray absorption and softness of the primary hand of various fabrics. Accordingly, we determined that synthetic fabrics had less absorption than cotton or wool fabrics. In addition, synthetic fabrics that incorporated polyurethane were comfortable to wear, and thus agreeable to patients in terms of feel and ease of movement. We employed a trial manufactured gown using such a fabric with patients, and it was found that patients considered the gown comfortable to wear.
