Scrubs in NICU

[s.maire.2126]

Has anyone read any recent research articles on scrubs/cover coats and infection control in the NICU? The infection control nurse in our hospital asked me to look for one and I'm not having any luck!

Thanks in advance

[nicu4me]

We used to wear hospital scrubs then the laundry got to expensive. Now we wear our own unless we are first admit. We wear a patient gown when we hold our babies one gown per infant. The postpartum unit all wear hospital scrubs, why????

[HappyBunnyNurse]

We wear hospital scrubs. We have to wear scrub jackets (our own) if we leave the unit. We wear cloth gowns to hold babies and paper gowns for isolation. I don't know the research behind it. L&D does this too but PP can wear their own.

[Florida NICU RN]

In our NICU, we used to wear hospital scrubs but since October last year wear our own. If we need to pick an infant up (during feeding, etc.), we have to wear a gown over our scrubs. L&D and the operating rooms still wear hospital scrubs.

[s.maire.2126]

Thanks everyone. We currently wear hospital scrubs/lab coats/gowns, however, I think they're considering changing this as there is not a lot of evidence to prove its effectiveness with infection control. That's why I was asked to look for research articles on the topic. I didn't see any articles through the Academy of Neonatal nursing, but if anyone finds anything I would appreciate it!! Happy Nursing :)

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Try ACOG (I think that is the abbreviation). We wear our own scrubs, only plastic gowns with isolated kids, no long sleeves with patient care. Number one defense against infection is good hand hygiene!

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

I don't THINK there is any significant evidence that hospital scrubs vs. home scrubs reduces infection. Additionally, there isn't any signifcant evidence parents wearing their own clothes and holding babies vs. gowning transmits infection.

That said, at my facility we wear our own scrubs (sleeves up to elbows if undershirt is long sleeves or wearing a jacket, cloth gown to hold or if parents hold, and those blue plastic gowns for isolation.

[prmenrs, RN]

We wear our own, no cover gowns for us or parents. Blue or yellow plastic coverall if we need to go to C Section.

Wearing hospital-provided scrubs, cover gowns is a traditional practice that is not "evidenced-based".

[BoonersmomRN]

We wear our own and do not gown up to hold infants unless they are on isolation.

If we go to the Dr/OR we wear yellow gowns but they are removed before leaving the Dr/OR....

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

We wear our own scrubs, home laundered. When handling infants we should wear cover gowns (or a clean blanket on your lap will do). Families don't wear cover gowns any more, unless they have a problem, MRSA was one.

We used to wear scrubs provided by the department, but that was eliminated in the entire maternal/child health department as a cost saving measure. Also, lab coats were required when we left the unit, but that went away about 15 years ago.

No evidence of increased infection noted anywhere.