Objective To explore the effect of newly-designed gowns for critical patients. Methods Two hundred critical patients hospitalized for more than 3 days in the intensive care unit of our hospital during February 2013 to February 2015 were divided into the control group and observation group equally according to their odd or even registration number. The control group wore conventional dresses for patients (including a shirt and a pant) and the patients in the latter group were newly-designed gowns. The two groups were compared in terms of comfort, nursing manpower, nursing stuff and security. Result The observation group was significantly superior to the control group in terms of comfort, nursing manpower, nursing stuff and security (P<0.05). Conclusions The newly-designed gowns for critical patients can improve the comfort degree and save nursing manpower and stuff. It allows convenience in treatment and nursing.