In a hospital setting, there are dozens of health professionals roving the different areas and attending to hundreds of patients. A common scenario is when a patient mistakes a nurse for a doctor. Who can blame them? With the ever changing dress codes and a wide variety of uniform designs, it may be hard to identify who’s who in a hospital environment.

As it is clear that all medical staff, support staff and even clerical staff in the health industry are required to wear some form of scrub suit while on duty; these uniforms do serve a purpose. Initially, they serve identification purpose; at least this helps a patient in determining who to approach when they require some clinical aide. Uniforms also serve a hygienic purpose. They should be easily cleaned and should manifest a sanitized appearance.

The last but not the least, is that a uniform conveys respect. One must respect the person in the uniform for it represents that the person finished a level of medical degree and training. Uniforms denote a one’s professional status.

Lab coats are worn usually by doctors when they are performing a surgery or when they are in a medical environment. Ideally, doctors are required to wear full length lab coats, one that goes down to the knee. Lab coats should serve as a protective layer from disease spreading germs, to absorbing and repelling spills and splashes from substances and particles that should be kept away from the skin.

Lab coats should be easy to take off once the lab professional catches a flame. For this reason, it is essential that a lab coat must be non-flammable and non-porous or made of flame resistant materials. If you work in a laboratory using infectious chemicals and minerals, you must consider purchasing a lint-free, anti-static and acid free lab coat for added protection.

Although, the traditional nursing uniforms are still common with third world countries, in America nurses move forward with new alternatives to uniform wear. Nurse uniforms are no longer the traditional uniform which consists of a dress, pinafore apron and a cap. Modern day nurse uniforms are now the knee length scrub dress which is a buttoned down with two side access pockets and made either of cotton or polyester. This is a simpler type of uniform and is approved in some operating rooms.

The most popular modern day uniform of them all is the nursing scrubs. Originally scrubs were made for surgical setting which is a half-sleeve top and a drawstring pants. Scrubs may also include a waist length warm up jacket for the outdoors. Scrubs in a hospital setting are usually color coded to differentiate between the patient-care divisions. For example, a light green or blue color is usually worn for surgery. Scrubs bearing prints of cartoon characters or cute element designs are practiced at the pediatrician’s office or children’s hospital.

While scrub uniforms extends its use to all health professions, hospital clerks, assisting personnel, dentists, receptionists, vets and also beauticians wear them too. Although, they are worn for hygienic purposes; they are more valued for the variety of designs it offers, the comfort and the professional look that it delivers.

Author Bio: Have your medical scrubs reflect your personality! Brighten up your day with colorful nursing uniforms.

Category: Career
Keywords: health, careers, medical scrubs, scrubs, uniforms, society, business, medical profession, clothing