Disrespect of medical clothing/ nursing dress by health workers

[fitore]

I have to do a homework, for disrespecting of medical clothing/ nursing dress by doctors, nurses. And to compare with any study of how in another states is respected medical uniform.

In my country we wear white robe and pants. but lately doctors and even nurses are not respecting this uniform, they work with: open robe, wear jeans and heels, they wear down their long hair, they work with long nails, nail varnished , and wearing jewelry. they go out of hospital with the same shoes and robe that work in hospital, they go to eat and when they come back to work , don't change their shoes at all.

what do you sugesst me.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

I have seen research on this subject, but it is not specific to health care. Most of it is done from a social psychology perspective - focusing on public perception of professional uniforms. There are some recent articles about public perception & nursing uniforms. Here is one http://www.lagrange.edu/resources/pdf/citations/2010/18Brock_Metaferia_Sumner_Nursing.pdf I am sure you can find others.

In the US, the patient's impression & satisfaction with the care they receive is very important and the appearance of nurses and other health care professionals is very important. As a result, many hospitals are enforcing more rules about uniforms and appropriate appearance. We have strict rules about infection control that prohibit direct care providers from wearing jewelry, long nails, nail varnish because this interferes with effective hand washing. Long, uncontrolled hair is not permitted either because of the infection control and safety risk.

Staff who work in 'sterile' areas must wear outer clothing over their uniforms and shoes if they leave that area. However, other employees do not have the same restrictions.

[fitore]

In the US, the patient's impression & satisfaction with the care they receive is very important and the appearance of nurses and other health care professionals is very important. As a result, many hospitals are enforcing more rules about uniforms and appropriate appearance. We have strict rules about infection control that prohibit direct care providers from wearing jewelry, long nails, nail varnish because this interferes with effective hand washing. Long, uncontrolled hair is not permitted either because of the infection control and safety risk.

I understand it now.

But how if a student comes to hospital with open uniform, short jeans and with long hair down, with heels. what would happen? who would say that's not ok. How wil be responsible for this? will she be allowed to administer therapy?

what would happen in this case in US???

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I think that fitore is thinking not just in terms of the respect given to people who wear unprofessional clothes, but also the attitudes of healthcare workers who wear hair, nails, clothing and shoes that may pose a risk of infection to the patient. Are they showing they don't care about patient safety?

Any nursing student or nurse who came to work in a hospital dressed like that wouldn't be there long. For one thing, her feet would be killing her by the end of the day. :) We are expected to dress professionally to communicate that we are professionals, not looking for dates (it's actually unethical to date a patient). If you do not, your supervisor would have words with you about professional clothing and presentation. A student is expected to wear the uniform of her nursing school; coming to the hospital in anything else would be grounds for being sent home immediately.

[fitore]

I think that fitore is thinking not just in terms of the respect given to people who wear unprofessional clothes, but also the attitudes of healthcare workers who wear hair, nails, clothing and shoes that may pose a risk of infection to the patient. Are they showing they don't care about patient safety?

Any nursing student or nurse who came to work in a hospital dressed like that wouldn't be there long. For one thing, her feet would be killing her by the end of the day. :) We are expected to dress professionally to communicate that we are professionals, not looking for dates (it's actually unethical to date a patient). If you do not, your supervisor would have words with you about professional clothing and presentation. A student is expected to wear the uniform of her nursing school; coming to the hospital in anything else would be grounds for being sent home immediately.

GrnTea, you have understood me very good.

Yes, here nurse and doctor don't care about infections or patient safety.

well here, they dont care only to show their beautiful clothes that they wear under the uniform they let the uniform open. even they wear winter boots, they wear them at home walk and come to hospital and work with the same shoes, without changing them.

So I have to do a paper, how do I think, that I must do like a nurse to change these bad habits.

Any suggestion.???

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I understand it now.

But how if a student comes to hospital with open uniform, short jeans and with long hair down, with heels. what would happen? who would say that's not ok. How wil be responsible for this? will she be allowed to administer therapy?

what would happen in this case in US???

That student would be sent home promptly.