white scrub tops and jackets

[coffeetalker]

So, my employer has decided that RNs should wear navy blue scrub pants and a white scrub jacket, white undershirt, white jacket. I work at an inpatient hospice where we commonly have all kinds of interesting things that could get on my whites, so I have a two-fold question -1.) anybody got any suggestions for a way to 'cost effectively' put isolation type gear in a pt room (each pt room has it's own linen closet that it totally emptied at pt death) so that when the going gets messy it doesn't get all over me/does not mean that I have to leave the room in order to get protective gear and -2) best suggestions for keeping whites white.

[EmmReeCPT]

1) not the cheapest but I would suggest Sterilite containers. They're probably 50x cheaper than those nurse specific Iso carts. You could get one of those 2 drawer units that have the larger bottom drawer. Top for gloves and masks and bottom for the gowns. They're also pretty rugged and can be cleaned out pretty quickly and easily if necessary. Shouldn't be a such a big expense your company wouldn't cover.

2) id get a bleach pen/wipes and throw them in your backpack/desk so you can spot treat right when it happens. Shout spray and wash is amazing for spot treatment at the washer to Treat anything you missed during the day. Bleach maybe once a month with your whites only and only your white scrubs/undershirts. Don't throw in white socks, sheets or anything else. Keep it just your uniforms so you don't throw in something that can offset the colors somehow(probably unnecessary but I'm slightly superstitious with my laundry ha)

[morte, LPN, LVN]

use a laundromat if you have well water at home.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Another white-top-wearer here. I hate it (I don't wear white in my personal life because I'm such a klutz!), but I like being employed, so I suck it up.

The bleach wipes for C-diff disinfection work in a pinch for spot-cleaning stains at work.

Alcohol works well for getting out pen and highlighter marks.

Peroxide works for getting out blood and other bodily fluids.

Make sure that your detergent has blue dye included in it, or add some Mrs. Stewart's Bluing to the machine (read the directions!) if your detergent is clear. Bluing helps with the dingy yellowing that occurs over time. An extra rinse cycle also helps by reducing leftover detergent/dirt from the wash cycle.

At lunch, I fashion a bib out of three lengths of paper towel to ward off spills. I also wear a moisture-wicking undershirt to prevent the yellow antiperspirant stains in the armpits.

Finally, I just hope for the best.