Experience Required!
Creating Change in Patient Experience with HeartSnug
A 46-year-old woman with a lifelong history of complex heart disease, Sara finds profound resonance in Congressman John Lewis’s words: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” This sentiment inspired the creation of HeartSnug, which Sara co-founded with her sister Lisa Humiston and lifelong best friend Lauren Orlick.
Sara’s Journey with HeartSnug
Born with a complex congenital heart defect, Sara has navigated numerous cardiac medical exams and procedures throughout her life. These experiences, which include chest x-rays, ECGs, and treadmill tests, often left her feeling vulnerable and exposed. Six years ago, while recovering from a minor stroke, she had an ‘aha’ moment: why hadn’t medical gowns evolved in all these years?
For over a century, patients have worn the “one size fits most” traditional gown, often open at the front for cardiac, dermatology, and breast cancer screenings, leaving women’s chests exposed. While necessary for medical procedures, Sara and her co-founders believed they could design something offering more coverage without compromising care. Their mission became clear: to redefine healthcare attire standards, ensuring patient comfort during procedures and tests.
Despite numerous advancements in medical treatment and outcomes, medical garments have remained outdated. Given that 51% of the population in England and Wales is female, and all of us are potential patients, it was time to enhance the patient experience for women.
Research consistently shows patient dissatisfaction with healthcare attire, with many feeling unable to advocate for better options. A 2019 Lancet study, “Exploring the Effect of the Hospital Gown on Wellbeing,” identified four key themes:
- Loss of health identity
- Symbolic embodiment of the sick role
- Relinquishing control to medical professionals
- Vulnerability, disempowerment, and embarrassment
The study revealed that current healthcare attire leaves patients feeling exposed (72%), self-conscious (60%), and uncomfortable (57%).
HeartSnug aims to help women attend doctor’s appointments and undergo medical procedures with less physical and mental vulnerability. The goal is to complement, not replace, the existing gown. Designed for seamless integration into examinations, HeartSnug features an adjustable front Velcro closure and elastic band at the bottom, providing chest access and support. Its sports-bra design, made from breathable fabric, is x-ray safe and can be worn during MRIs.
HeartSnug’s mission is to ensure equity and accessibility for all women. A medical disposable bra like HeartSnug would have been invaluable to Sara during her teenage years at cardiology appointments and now as an adult. Lauren’s mother, battling cancer last year, found comfort and calm wearing HeartSnug during her procedures. Lisa’s two teen daughters also benefited from HeartSnug at routine doctor’s appointments, feeling less insecure and more open with their healthcare providers.
Sara, Lisa, and Lauren are proud to have created a garment that supports not only themselves and their families but also women worldwide.
About HeartSnug
As sisters and lifelong friends, Sara, Lisa, and Lauren saw a need to provide patients with an additional layer of security and privacy in medical settings. They created HeartSnug so that all women could attend doctor’s appointments, radiation clinics, and undergo medical procedures feeling physically and mentally less vulnerable.
To learn more about HeartSnug, follow them on Instagram at @heartsnug.
HeartSnug Founders – Sara, Lauren, and Lisa
Website: https://www.heartsnug.com/
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