Medical gowns are examples of personal protective equipment used in health care settings. They are used to protect the wearer from the spread of disease-causing microorganisms if the wearer comes in contact with potentially infectious liquid or solid material. They may also be used to help prevent the wearer from transferring microorganisms that could harm vulnerable patients, such as those with compromised immune systems. Gowns are intended to provide broad barrier protection. At this time, the FDA has not cleared, approved, or authorized any gowns for specific protection or prevention against the virus that causes COVID-19. Gowns are one part of an overall infection-control strategy.

Many names are used to refer to gowns intended for use in health care settings, including, surgical gowns, isolation gowns, surgical isolation gowns, non-surgical gowns, procedural gowns, and operating room gowns.