I developed this design for my own hospital stays. When you have an IV for an extended period, adding or removing warm layers requires unhooking your line.

This tunic completely unfastens down both sides so that you can take it off or put it on while one arm is tied to an IV pole. The panels wrap from the back around the sides to fasten in the front so that you can lie on your back or either side comfortably without the fasteners causing irritation.

I have used fancy buttons and trim. You could easily make a plain tunic and fasten the sides with snaps, velcro, ties, or separating zippers depending on what’s easiest for you.