Put on a medical gown before patient contact, with the opening at the back, covering your torso and arms to the wrists, and secured at the neck and waist.
For the full breakdown, see our best Baby Girl Gowns guide.
Whether you’re a new clinician or need a refresher, the sequence for how to put on a gown follows a strict order that keeps you and your patients safe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the authority here, and its guidance applies directly to US healthcare settings. Get the order wrong, and you compromise the entire barrier.
Here’s the complete donning sequence, what proper coverage looks like, and the mistakes that compromise protection.
The Correct Donning Sequence
Gowning happens after hand hygiene and before mask, eye protection, or gloves. The CDC’s PPE sequence is explicit about this order, and following it protects both you and the patient.
Work through these steps in this exact order:
- Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Put on the gown so it fully covers your torso, arms to the wrists, and back.
- Fasten the ties at the neck and waist. Ensure they’re secure, not dangling.
- Don the mask and eye protection next.
- Put on gloves last, pulling them over the gown cuffs so the sleeves are fully covered.
The CDC’s PPE 101 materials confirm this sequence: gowning occurs after hand hygiene and before mask, eye protection, and gloves. Healthcare posters from Australian health authorities reflect the same clinical sequencing, so the order is consistent across guidelines.
Coverage Requirements: What Proper Fit Looks Like
Before entering the patient room, check the fit:
- Torso and legs: the gown should extend from your chest down to at least your knees.
- Arms: sleeves must reach the end of your wrists, not mid-forearm.
- Back: the gown must wrap completely around your back, with the opening at the rear.
- Integrity: inspect the gown for tears, holes, or damage before use.
A gown that’s too small, doesn’t wrap around the back, or leaves your cuffs exposed doesn’t meet this guidance. If the gown fails any of these checks, remove it and try a larger size.
Glove Compatibility and Common Donning Errors
Gloves go on over the gown cuffs, not under them. This creates a continuous barrier from your fingers to your elbows. Pull the glove cuff over the gown sleeve and smooth it out so no skin is exposed.
The CDC’s donning guidance calls out several errors that compromise protection:
- Touching the front of PPE after placement. The front is now contaminated; touch only the ties and edges.
- Leaving ties unsecured. A loose gown shifts and exposes skin.
- Skipping the integrity check. A torn gown is no barrier at all.
When the Gown Comes Off: Doffing in Reverse
Removing the gown is where most contamination happens. The CDC sequence is: gloves first, then gown, then hand hygiene, then mask and eye protection.
For the gown itself, remove it by pulling away from your body, turning it inside out, and folding it into a bundle. Avoid touching the front. Dispose of it in the appropriate receptacle, then perform hand hygiene immediately.
This order keeps the most contaminated items (gloves, gown front) away from your face and skin for as long as possible.
FAQs
What is the first step before putting on a gown?
Hand hygiene comes first. Wash with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer before touching the gown. This removes transient bacteria from your hands so you don’t transfer anything to the clean PPE surface.
Should gloves go over or under the gown cuffs?
Gloves go over the gown cuffs. This creates a continuous barrier with no exposed skin between your wrist and elbow. Pull the glove cuff over the gown sleeve and smooth it so the sleeve is fully covered.
Can you reuse a medical gown between patients?
No. The CDC’s PPE guidance states not to wear the same gown between patients. Change it after every patient encounter, and perform hand hygiene after removing it.
References & Sources
- CDC. “PPE 101: Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment.” Provides the official sequence and coverage requirements for gown use in US healthcare settings.