Posted by Team Rifz
on October 20, 2026
If you buy linens for a hospital, clinic, nursing home or outpatient center, patient gowns are one of the items you reorder most. They also cause more questions than almost anything else on the linen list. Which style do you need for IV patients? What do the sizes on a spec sheet mean? When do you need an isolation gown instead of a patient gown? This guide walks through the different types of hospital gowns, what each one is for, and how to buy them in the right mix and quantity.
Hospital gown vs. patient gown: is there a difference?
In everyday purchasing, "hospital gown" and "patient gown" mean the same thing: a loose, open-back garment that a patient wears so staff can examine, treat and monitor them without removing clothing. Facilities, laundries and suppliers use both names. The word to watch for is "isolation." An isolation gown is a protective garment usually worn by staff or visitors as a barrier, not a garment a patient lives in all day. We cover isolation gowns separately below because they are bought and used differently.
The main types of hospital gowns
Most facilities stock some combination of the five styles below. Rifz carries all five in a single patient gowns listing, so you can compare them in one place.
1. Traditional patient gown
The traditional gown is the classic short-sleeve, open-back style closed with ties. It is the everyday workhorse for exams, short stays and general inpatient use. Because it is simple to make, launder and fold, it is usually the most economical option per piece. If you need a large, general-purpose stock, this is often where you start.
2. Twill patient gown
A twill gown uses a twill-weave fabric, which has a diagonal rib that tends to feel more substantial than a plain weave. Buyers often choose twill when they want a gown that feels more solid to patients and holds its shape through repeated commercial laundering. At Rifz, twill gowns also come in the widest size range, which matters if you need extended sizes.
3. IV gown
An IV gown is designed for patients who have IV lines, monitors or other attachments. These gowns typically open along the shoulders and sleeves so staff can change the gown, or reach the arm, without disconnecting lines. If your unit regularly changes gowns on patients receiving infusions, stocking IV gowns saves time and reduces disruption for staff and patients. Check the listing for the closure style before you order.
4. Three-armhole gown
The three-armhole gown is a wraparound style. The patient puts both arms through the first two armholes, then wraps the back panel around and slips one arm through the third armhole. The result is fuller back coverage than a standard open-back gown, without relying only on ties. Facilities often choose this style for patients who walk the halls, for rehab and long-term care, and for anyone who is self-conscious about an open back.
5. Level II isolation gown
Isolation gowns are protective garments rather than patient wear. In the US, the "Level" rating usually refers to the ANSI/AAMI PB70 classification for liquid barrier performance, which runs from Level 1 to Level 4. Level 2 is generally intended for low-risk situations. Your infection prevention team should decide which level is right for each task, and you should always confirm the rating on the product listing. Isolation gowns are usually bought in their own par stock, separate from patient gowns.
How to read hospital gown sizes
Gown sizes are often listed as two measurements rather than small, medium or large. On the Rifz listing, sizes appear as S and L, for example S 62" L 44". "S" is the sweep, the total width around the gown, and "L" is the length from shoulder to hem. A bigger sweep means more room around the body and more overlap at the back.
Here is how the current Rifz range breaks down by style:
- Traditional gown: S 50" x L 40"
- Twill gown and IV gown: S 62" x L 44", plus extended sizes at 3XL (S 76" x L 44"), 5XL (S 87" x L 48") and 10XL (S 110" x L 50")
- Three-armhole gown: S 70" x L 46"
- Level II isolation gown: 45" x 59"
When you plan your mix, look at the patients you actually serve. A facility with a bariatric program needs a real stock of extended sizes, not one or two "just in case." A gown that does not close properly is uncomfortable for the patient, and the fix is usually to buy more sweep, not more gowns.
Fabric, color and print
Reusable patient gowns are usually made from cotton or cotton/poly blends. Blends tend to dry faster and resist wrinkling, while higher cotton content feels softer against the skin. Either way, the gown has to survive frequent industrial laundering, so look for reinforced seams and secure ties.
Print is not just decoration. Some facilities assign a print or color to each gown style or department so linen staff can sort quickly and units get their own gowns back. For example, you might keep one print for standard gowns and a different color for IV gowns, so staff can grab the right one at a glance. Rifz gowns come in several prints, including blue and green wave, blue and green geometric, star prints and yellow for isolation gowns.
Buying tips for healthcare facilities
- Buy by style, not just by count. Start with your daily census and the share of patients who need IV access, extended sizes or extra back coverage. Then split your order across styles to match.
- Plan for the laundry cycle. At any moment, some gowns are on patients, some are in the wash and some are on the shelf. Build your par level around your laundry turnaround, not just today's census.
- Pick the right pack size. Rifz gowns are sold in 12-packs for smaller top-ups and in larger bales or boxes of 5 or 10 dozen for bulk restocking. Larger packs make sense when you know your monthly usage.
- Keep isolation gowns separate. Track them as their own line item, with their own par level, so a busy week on the floor does not empty your protective stock.
- Match your other linens. Gowns are usually ordered together with bedding. If you are restocking, check your hospital bed sheets at the same time so everything arrives together.
Other patient apparel to order with gowns
Gowns are only part of what patients wear. Many facilities order gowns alongside non-slip slipper socks, which come in single tread, double tread and fall-risk versions. You can see these together in the healthcare patient apparel collection.
Ready to restock?
Whether you run a single clinic or manage linen for several facilities, the easiest way to get the mix right is to compare styles and sizes side by side. Browse the full hospital gowns collection to compare styles, sizes and pack options. Rifz has supplied US healthcare and hospitality buyers since 2001, ships to the contiguous 48 states and ships orders within 48 hours. Orders of $99 or more ship free. If you buy regularly, ask us about opening a wholesale account. Call (866) 534-1939 or contact our team.
