Wearing scrubs in public...

Nurses General Nursing

Published

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.

Specializes in Telemetry.

I have to buy my own scrubs , and have even stopped at the grocery store on my way home froom working in my scrubs ... oh no is that bad??? (haha) I have never heard of such a ridiculous thing in my life. I 'd like to tell that to the visitors that come to visit their family members and find them in isolation rooms without gowns or gloves ( smart huh) . Who knows where these people are wandering around after they leave , and have they washed their hands?? etc, etc. If anything health care workers are more aware and cautious about what they are doing ,and who and what they come in contact with. Obvioulsy if you have a soiled or dirty scrubs i would think we are going to take them off them asap , and not walk around town spreading all sorts of dreadful diseases :devil: ... or am i the only one that feels that way .:rolleyes: I think you contact more viruses and things in church , and i dont see anyone wearing scrubs there ! haha

Specializes in Telemetry.
germs germs everwhere....we should all be dead..

Haha I just read your post , that is great!!

i have seen so many times in several hospitals, the OR nurses in the cafeteria wearing the booties, head cap and even mask around their necks. that gets me annoyed at the proximity of food to whatever may be on their protective wear from any and all procedures they may have participated in that morning before walking into the cafeteria. this should be a huge JACHO no-no.

I don't work at the hospital anymore but when I did, I always felt "gross" getting in my car after work. I kept a can of disinfectant spray in my car and sprayed my shoes before getting into the car. :chuckle I never stopped at the grocery store or went anywhere in public until I changed. When I arrived home, I would peel off my clothes at the back door and throw them in the washer on my way to the shower. My coworkers would all laugh but some of them admitted to doing the same things. I could not stand the thought of getting a germ in my home!

There have been lot of studies performed regarding infection control measures of wearing hospital provided scrubs into the O.R. vs. wearing the scrub attire from home. The results proved "No significance difference". With MRSA, VRE, and other contact bacteria being on the rise, the healthcare industry is more concerned about what germs/bacteria is being taken from the O.R. vs. what is being brought in. My suggestion is if your hospital does not provide scrub attire, then bring them in from home, remove the worn scrub attire before leaving work, bag the worn scrub attire, and wash them in hot water separate from your family wash loads.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
i have seen so many times in several hospitals, the OR nurses in the cafeteria wearing the booties, head cap and even mask around their necks. that gets me annoyed at the proximity of food to whatever may be on their protective wear from any and all procedures they may have participated in that morning before walking into the cafeteria. this should be a huge JACHO no-no.

Then why not write them and tell them so.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Hospice.

I have nothing to contribute to this discussion but just had to tell Marie that it's good to see Klinger again. He's looking lovely.

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I have nothing to contribute to this discussion but just had to tell Marie that it's good to see Klinger again. He's looking lovely.

Well it's spring, ya know. ;)

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
Well it's spring, ya know. ;)

Yes, it is nice to see Klinger back!

Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
I have to buy my own scrubs , and have even stopped at the grocery store on my way home froom working in my scrubs ... oh no is that bad??? (haha) I have never heard of such a ridiculous thing in my life. I 'd like to tell that to the visitors that come to visit their family members and find them in isolation rooms without gowns or gloves ( smart huh) . Who knows where these people are wandering around after they leave , and have they washed their hands?? etc, etc. If anything health care workers are more aware and cautious about what they are doing ,and who and what they come in contact with. Obvioulsy if you have a soiled or dirty scrubs i would think we are going to take them off them asap , and not walk around town spreading all sorts of dreadful diseases :devil: ... or am i the only one that feels that way .:rolleyes: I think you contact more viruses and things in church , and i dont see anyone wearing scrubs there ! haha

And so what does the Parade Magazine Lady think the Home Health nurses are to wear out there on the job?

We wear our scrubs.. am I now to be looked upon with caution??? :rolleyes:

Give me a break. Some people... and to think she is getting that nonsense out to readers................... :stone

"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."

Hmmm...do you think that maybe by this she's referring to the fact that apparently (I think we've all encountered it) people seem to be more open/trusting of someone in scrubs? I work in a docs office as a MA. I do stop on my way home from work at the store if need be. I do notice when I'm in scrubs that people smile at me more, elderly people talk to me more, etc.

Maybe she's just saying that there ARE people who might be wearing to seem trustworthy (as she said "convey an impression of respectability") and actually have ulterior motives (and not very nice ones)?

The germ issue is another story...

Lorraine

CMA, CNA

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