standardized uniforms

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Ok, our hospital is wanting to go to identifying uniform colors. They claim that: the pt's are happier they know who the personnel i.e. nurses, techs, respiratory, lab, are and it gives off a much more professional appearance. This is my question: Has anyone found any research that it doesn't/ does to these things management is claiming. Our arguement is: we went to new ID badges with larger letters with our credentials, we introduce ourselves and write our names on a dry erase board in the rooms every shift, and I know for a fact my patients still don't know me after 3 nights of continuous care. They are even talking doing away with t-shirts with the hospital logos, no t-shirts, period. If anyone has any solid evidence either way I would appreciate it.:madface:

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Realize too, that to many patients, a "nurse" is whoever comes to their bedside when they call out that they need their water pitcher moved 3 inches ...

After all, that's what nurses do, right? :sfxpld:

(feeling cranky this morning ...)

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.

We went to a system that any one with "hands on pt care" Nurses, Techs, PT" could wear any scrubs (they did tell us a few specifics no-no's like cartoons..we have no peds where I work) and no red (makes sense at a heart hospital right?). But housekeeping and dietary and pharm techs and secretaries went to a khaki pants and a logo polo shirt with their department. Maintance wears their maintenace uniforms. We can wear logo t-shirts tucked in. I agree sometimes those look more proffessional than faded wrinkled scrubs. Oh yeah...patients STILL ask housekeeping for things....

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.
I don't have any solid evidence, but I think it sounds like a great idea. As people in the medical field we often forget that many people don't know hospitals, and the type of people that work in them, or what those peoples roles are. Why not make it easier for a patient to pick out an RN from someone in respiratory. I don't care about what I have to wear at work, its a job, you can wear whatever you want outside of your job, it seems like maybe you are making more of a big deal out of this than is necessary. Pick your battles with the hospital.

A lot of patients complain that nurses should wear caps because then they would know who the nurse is. I wouldn't go that far, but I think color coding is a good idea. Patients see the hospital as a scary, unfriendly place, and compound that with all the people who answer a question with "I'll ask your nurse". Patients want to know who staff is - a lot of them don't understand what is scribbled on the message board, and can't read name tags. RN, LPN, RT, PTA, PCT, CNA - Just tell me who the nurse is.......

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A lot of patients complain that nurses should wear caps because then they would know who the nurse is. I wouldn't go that far, but I think color coding is a good idea. Patients see the hospital as a scary, unfriendly place, and compound that with all the people who answer a question with "I'll ask your nurse". Patients want to know who staff is - a lot of them don't understand what is scribbled on the message board, and can't read name tags. RN, LPN, RT, PTA, PCT, CNA - Just tell me who the nurse is.......

Do you really think that patients, who are already in an unfamiliar environment, are going to be able to remember these color codes??? Most people who are just in the hospital for a short time are going to be too sick to care who is wearing what color. Frequent fliers and long-term stays might eventually figure it out (but they might not). Personally, I think it would be completely ineffective. It would be much more efficient for staff members to simply identify themselves.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

It doesn't work. I still get called Nurse (although I am far from it), and correcting the patient to say I'm a Nursing Assistant doesn't work either. Just let me wear whatever scrubs I want. Course, that will never happen.....

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I recently started in an ED where the management is trying to push this issue. It is causing a lot of strife amongst the nurses and certainly damaging morale. I doubt the patient notice (as many have said here) they are stressed and distressed...however, for me as a new nurse, not knowing who anybody is, it has been extremely helpful! I know who my fellow nurses are, the aids, the HUCS, the cleaning staff, radiology, even the difference btw the medical students and the residents! I can't even imagine how long it would have taken me otherwise to learn who everyone is and it would have definitely added to my stress level to not have that distinction.

Also, it really surprised me that I would appreciate the 'color coding' since I am so the opposite of what I deem as control from management, but it really has been a life-saver in this new position.;)

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Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Why does everyone hate the cap? I always wanted to wear a Dixie snow cone cup on top of my head. That's why I went into nursing don't ya know.:nurse:

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

Well if everyone loved the cap, we'd have to argue a standardizing "Dixie snow cone cup on top of my head thread!: haha :nurse:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Nurses are mandated to wear white pants and pastel colored scrub tops. The aides wear either pink or khaki/beige. It still doesn't clear it up that much. But, to be honest, for me, it makes things a bit worse. I feel that I am entitled to my privacy during breaks and after work on my way out of the door. I have had many occasions where I may be standing outside during break on my cell phone and people will come and line up next to me, saying "I'll wait until you finish your conversation" to ask me questions I have no business answering unless I have a chart in front of my face. I have had some ask me for money, medication or need a psychiatrist. I have had to say to these people that I am on break, and they can either go to the clinic area to ask any other nurse that is on duty or wait until I return to my work station. Hate to say it, but at times, it is better to blend in for a few minutes to make it from one side of the building to the other.

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Specializes in Neuro, Cardiology, ICU, Med/Surg.

People have already seen what I think about this issue from other threads. Please sign me up for a cap. Patients will be sure to know who I am then. I'm the Good Humor man. :trout:

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.

We have always had them. I so wish we could have scrubs. Only ED, the critical care units, and the paediatric isolation wards wear them.

We have 'corporate uniforms' and hospital issued uniforms. The corporate uniforms are shirts, and look quite nice, but you pay for them. The hospital issued ones are free, but they are polo shirts. The patients themselves can wear clothes that look similar to the latter, which is pretty scary.

But the hospital uniforms are clearly identifiable to patients. The PCAs wear white shirts, and the doctors wear what they like. Physios and OTs have uniforms too. On our ID badges, there are colour coded stripes.

Most of our patients can identify the nurse. But the clothes are hot and not very nice or professional.

So, yes, they can identify us. *sniff* we can't hide...

Another hospital here does wear standardised uniforms. But EVERYONE wears the same one! Maintenance, administration, nursing! The only way you can tell the difference is by reading the cuff on the persons sleeve! I am definitely not a fan of that!

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Specializes in Jack of all trades, and still learning.
People have already seen what I think about this issue from other threads. Please sign me up for a cap. Patients will be sure to know who I am then. I'm the Good Humor man. :trout:

Hubby was a nurse in the days of caps and veils. He of course didn't wear them. I can just see it! One very grumpy red headed Scot!!

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