About our Apparel

• View our Apparel
• How to Use

George Washington School of Business Project Team, 12/7/2011 Market Analysis [1]

• A total of 10.1% non-institutionalized U.S. residents, representing approximately 19 million people, suffer from mobility issues, of which 5.8 million (3.1% of population) have major mobility problems. In 2008, there were 5.5 million veterans suffering from mobility issues (service oriented disability totaling 3.4 million).
• There are 5,795 hospitals in the U.S. South Carolina has 11,973 stuffed beds.
• 16,100 nursing homes in the U.S. with 1.7 million beds with an occupancy rate of 86%.
• 17,148 South Carolinians live in long-term care facilities with an occupancy rate of 89.9%.
• Projections are that by 2050, individuals using long term care services may double to 27 million people.

In recent years, the health care industry and patient care have changed from the former traditional hospital care which offered long term stays for complete medical treatment and recovery. Today’s patient may be treated through short stays in hospital for specific treatments and then referred to other medical care resources – including home health care, rehabilitation therapy facilities, and hospice care. This change has created a new health care environment for the patient and patient caregivers, often requiring that a patient travel to public places during recovery and treatments and clothing may be a challenge. Modular Medical Apparel (Patent Pending) offers a solution for many of today's patients in recovery or in long term care programs. The apparel may be worn in bed or in public enabling a patient to go from bed to a health care facility without multiple changing/undressing by the patient.

• Designed with the patient and caregiver in mind with several styles for men, women & teenagers
• Features plastic snap fasteners to allow access for medical treatment
• Fabrics, in light and medium weights, may feature moisture management, anti-microbial, stain resistance, etc. Light weights are suggested for warm and mild climates – and Medium weights are suggested for cooler climates.
• Looks like sportswear apparel, may be worn in bed or public places. Women’s designs and fabrics have both design and fabric options – wear only at home or wear in bed or public places
• Accommodates medical braces, molded casts, surgical dressings, monitor, tubing, mechanical devices and equipment

Short sleeve shirt with snap fasteners – the Critical Care Shirt

During the past two years, the “Reversible Shirt” has been improved to offer a short sleeve modular shirt with shoulder and side fastener openings, reversible from front to back. This shirt can adapt to left or right side injuries or surgeries. The shirt provides body coverage and comfort, as well as access for treatment and hygiene care. The shirt can be used by, but not limited to, patients with shoulder or arm physical medical challenges such as casts, braces, surgery, or pain management. The shirt is available in White, Black, Olive, Tan, Blue and Pink. If the Critical Care Shirt is used in hospitals, light shades are recommended so that body fluids may be easily sighted. Darker shades are more practicable for rehab or outpatient treatment.

Special order may include a chest pocket to accommodate a monitoring device.

Short sleeve shirt with snap fasteners – the Reversible Shirt

During the past two years, the “Reversible Shirt” has been improved to offer a short sleeve modular shirt with shoulder and side fastener openings, reversible from front to back. This shirt can adapt to left or right side injuries or surgeries. The shirt provides body coverage and comfort, as well as access for treatment and hygiene care. The shirt can be used by, but not limited to, patients with shoulder or arm physical medical challenges such as casts, braces, surgery, or pain management. The shirt is available in White, Black, Olive, Tan, Blue and Pink. If the Critical Care Shirt is used in hospitals, light shades are recommended so that body fluids may be easily sighted. Darker shades are more practicable for rehab or outpatient treatment.

Special order may include a chest pocket to accommodate a monitoring device.

Boxer Shorts, Gym Shorts, and Long Pants with Snap Fasteners

The Boxer Shorts, Gyms Shorts, and Long Pants have the same basic construction. The snap fasteners are on one side and the on the entire inseam. A stationary seam on one side prevents loss of parts during laundry. An elastic drawstring waist adjust for comfort. The snap fasteners are hidden from view and look like sportswear rather than medical clothing. These items may include a fly for men.

Dressing/changing regular clothing is a concern for patients and caregivers; especially for patients with temporary or permanent mobility challenges or end of life care. Patients and caregivers in multiple health care environments have found that the modular medical apparel with plastic snap closures on shirts and pants is easier on the patient as well as the caregiver. No more struggling to change clothing and very little body lifting by caregivers to change a patient’s clothing. The response by physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and home health caregivers has been very good.

We can almost pack away the traditional hospital gown so that body exposure embarrassment can be exchanged for dignity and comfort.

Shirts and pants are constructed in a one piece finished garment to allow a method of “slipping the garments across the body” rather than pulling a garment overhead, manipulating arms for sleeve coverage, or pulling a garment up the body over legs and abdomen” creating stress, strain and possible pain for the patient and caregiver. The seam openings are positioned to provide quick body access for treatment and accommodate medical equipment.

The apparel has been tested in hospitals, rehab centers, and in home health care settings. In each test market, patients and caregivers like the comfort and utility of the apparel. “Dignity and comfort” were the most used words to describe the apparel by patients. “Ease in changing” has been the description by caregivers of the apparel worn by patients recovering from hip/knee surgery, broken bones, shoulder/arm surgery; during cancer treatment; and hospice care.

Apparel Options for Patients

In addition to Modular Medical Apparel, interchangeable t-shirts (tops), gym shorts and pants with and without snap closures are available. The patient with only uppers body injuries will have the option to wear regular boxers, shorts or long pants. The same option applies to patients with lower body injuries and regular short or long sleeve t-shirts and tops will be available. We also can respond to special requests for sizes and designs.