Hospital Scrubs on the Subway?

While infection control experts have published extensive research on the benefits of hand washing and equipment sterilization in hospitals, little is known about the role that ties, white coats, long sleeves and soiled scrubs play in the spread of bacteria.

Hospital rules typically encourage workers to change out of soiled scrubs before leaving, but infection control experts say enforcement can be lax. Doctors and nurses can often be seen wearing scrubs on subways and in grocery stores.

Some say there’s no evidence that clothing plays a role in the spread of hospital infections. While others say the absence of evidence doesn’t mean there is no risk — it just means there is no good research.

What drives me crazy is the sight of someone wearing scrubs while shopping for groceries, going to the post office, picking up their kids from day care, and so on,” writes Jenny, a nurse. “Someone wearing scrubs has been around germs all day. That person is too lazy to keep their patients’ problems away from you, and now they’re handling the apples and cereal boxes that you or someone you love may handle next.”

Aesthetically, scrubs always seemed the equivalent of wearing one’s PJ or workout clothing in public. Even if they are clean, there's the perception that the person has just walked out of the operating room, which is grosser than the reality.

The excuse that scrubs “might” be clean when worn to and from the hospital is simply an excuse that leaves doubt in the minds of the public - why would we health professionals want to do that? We already have problems with public trust - why inflame that? Oh, and the bogus answer that there is no research on the matter- well, DUH! Who would want to come into the OR as a patient and sign up for a study where your care-givers might be wearing dirty scrubs? No one that I know. Just change your dang clothes people.
— Paula, OR RN