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 e-mailed her through the parade website...here is what I wrote. Please feel free to e-mail as well "
I've e-mailed her, too. My e-mail has bounced back twice, telling me that her mailbox is full. It seems that she is receiving much e-mail on the matter. Her opinion on the matter strikes me as one who is woefully uninformed of the realities of how a hospital operates. Perhaps she lives in a reality very different from our own. Does she not go to the dentist or veterinarian's office? Has she not visited anyone in a hospital & seen the janitors in scrubs? Somehow, I think not.
This was disheartening because I have enjoyed her columns in the past. Oh well, such is life!
Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.
Let us not forget that germs are a.) very, very small and B.) just a theory, anyway. However, for those who are still worried, but don't have time for proper handwashing, a good alternative is clapping your hands vigorously. Many germs will be crushed by the impact, and others will fall harmlessly to the floor.
Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.
I've e-mailed her, too. My e-mail has bounced back twice, telling me that her mailbox is full. It seems that she is receiving much e-mail on the matter. Her opinion on the matter strikes me as one who is woefully uninformed of the realities of how a hospital operates. Perhaps she lives in a reality very different from our own. Does she not go to the dentist or veterinarian's office? Has she not visited anyone in a hospital & seen the janitors in scrubs? Somehow, I think not.
This was disheartening because I have enjoyed her columns in the past. Oh well, such is life!
I got the same message except for my third try :).
Okay how many of us shed those scrubs/uniforms the moment they walk into their homes! LOL! I run into the bathroom and take those suckers off right away...ewww! My hubby (paramedic) starts at the front door with the old shirt! LOL! We can't WAIT to get out of those garments and get them into the wash! IN fact, no one in my house can talk to me till I am changed! LOL!
I wear scrubs sometimes because they are inexpensive and comfortable, and they are allowed at this job (research nursing). But there are days (sometimes weeks) when I don't even SEE a patient. And when I DO see a patient, they are outpatient cancer patients and I don't touch them, I TALK to them.
So yeah, report me to the "Hospital Authority". Some administrator will laugh her head off after she's hung up the phone. And here I thought Ms. vos Savant was sooo smart.
The letter is a bit silly (kids, if you see a man in scrubs, RUN!), but for me it just begs the question, why are nurses who are not working in OR or other "sterile" environments wearing scrubs at all? Why not a more professional looking uniform of some sort? When scrubs are worn in public and then into the hospital they become just plain clothes, and just as germy as any others. But the public does still get the impression that even these "streetwear" scrubs control infection when they see them on their nurse. I do think they are misleading in that regard.
And I agree about the germ-phobia! Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands. And while your at it, don't put your nursing shoes on open wounds if you can help it, and don't lick them at home in private. :chuckle Wash your clothing and use universal precautions. Trust your immune system and don't encourage super bugs by disinfecting every surface in your life when it isn't necessary!
I wonder if the hospitals should have a separate cafeteria for workers and visitors. I'd hate to think someone sat in my chair after I got up...and got a germ on them.
I wonder if the hospitals should have a separate cafeteria for workers and visitors. I'd hate to think someone sat in my chair after I got up...and got a germ on them.
I think it's universally accepted to approach hospital food with caution, too. :rotfl:
While that may be true, it is probably best not to make negative moral admissions about ourselves. Espcially since most of us have no intention of repenting.
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eltrip
691 Posts
I've e-mailed her, too. My e-mail has bounced back twice, telling me that her mailbox is full. It seems that she is receiving much e-mail on the matter. Her opinion on the matter strikes me as one who is woefully uninformed of the realities of how a hospital operates. Perhaps she lives in a reality very different from our own. Does she not go to the dentist or veterinarian's office? Has she not visited anyone in a hospital & seen the janitors in scrubs? Somehow, I think not.
This was disheartening because I have enjoyed her columns in the past. Oh well, such is life!