I was reading the paper this morning, and this topic was mentioned in teh "Ask Marilyn" column. The question and answer was this
"A question has been bothering me since I moved to a city that is home to some of the finest hospitals in the world. When I use public transportation, I see people wearing scrub suits to work. Is this acceptable? I had thought employees were supposed to change into scrubs provided at the hospital in order to leave outside germs at the door"-
and her answer
"You're right. I've noticed the same phenomenon in other cities, too. If those people are hospital employees they are endangering patients and should be reported to hospital authorities. Another growing problem is scrubs being stolen and word in other places, such as the subway, to convey an impression of respectability. Anyone seen wearing scrubs outside an appropriate environment should be regarded with caution"
What do you think?
WHen i was a student, so recently, we had to wear our scrubs into the hospital, we were told not to change at the hospital. Here I saw the OB nurses and OR nurses were the only ones who had uniforms provided to them to change into at the hospital.
I think it's wrong to to tell people to use caution with anyone wearing scrubs outside a hospital. We have to buy our own scrubs(hospital quit because it's too costly) we have nowhere to change except the patients bathrooms. I work in an ER. I think hospital clothing should be regulated like firemen and police officer uniforms are. They have to show an ID from their place of employment. This would greatly decrease the amount of people wearing scrubs for whatever reason besides working in the field. And at the same time increase our image so that not just anybody can dress like a medical professional.
Maybe this will help strangers to avoid asking for advice from someone in scrubs at the local Wal-Mart.
Yep - in my hospital - its only surgery and L&D, NICU too. Otherwise, the rest of us would run around naked on our way to work - waiting for the hospital to provide us with scrubs - not a great visual.
To a certain extent I find the comment amusing..what about us nurses that see patients in their homes, are we supposed to have a clean pair of scrubs between each patient?? Get real
Oh Please...with half the crap people are walking around with out there and no one knows about it?? Yet nurses should be regarded with caution for wearing scrubs out of the hospital?? Give me a break!
The thing is, lots of places have administrative support wear scrubs, and they have no patient contact, it's just their 'uniform'. And these days, some people wear scrubs just cos they are comfy. Doesn't mean they have stepped foot near sickies.
chadash
1,429 Posts
It is hard to be in home health and not be seen in yours scrubs in public. I have learned to slyly disguise and distract.