Hey all, I hope life is treating all of you well. I want to put something forward that I have been noticing that is seating me a little uncomfortably for some feedback. It is a somewhat disturbing trend that has me wondering if it’s just me that have a problem with it, or is everyone ok with it, or perhaps am missing something?
I mean at this point I really have more questions than answers and with that in mind I am lounging my somewhat unsettle equilibrium on this issue for some constructive and fairly knowledgeable feedback.
The Trend?
- Hospital staff, nurses; nurse’s aid etc wearing hospital scrubs as street wear. Is that hygienic?
- Don’t these scrubs serve as infection control barriers? I mean I could be wrong and please if I am somebody enlighten me…but...
- How can one be protected against infections if the people who care for the ailing wear their hospital scrubs on the streets?
Whatever happen to wearing your own clothes to work and then changing into scrubs?
Are people wearing these scrubs on the streets working in Operative Services, Labor and Delivery, Cardiac Cath Labs, Radiology, Obstetrical Services, Anaesthesia, Electrophysiology, Clinical Laboratory and Pathology? If so what are the implications for the prevention of infections?
How does this affect the people in the ICU's and specialty units?
I am asking because I am concerned and I haven’t talked about during the fall/winter season when its cold outside and the weather dictate we cover up and keep warm. I know that jackets, fleece, sweatshirts and sweaters have a high lint content and harbor bacteria so someone wearing hospital scrubs to work on a cold day and perhaps use any kind of these jackets to warm the body can actually be doing more harm than good.
Someone enlighten me on the subject please because am a bit baffled, what’s your take on this trend?…
Thats a really good question. I don't know. I used to have to wear scrubs when i worked in a mental health care facility. They never said anything (at least, not to me) about changing into your scrubs once you got on the unit, but that does make a lot of sense!
ReplyDeleteIt just concerns me. Often you hear about people contracting infections from the hospitals, who knows if that may in some way contributing to it?
DeleteHey, found your blog and thought this was interesting :)
ReplyDeleteI’m not a doctor/nurse/whatever and I wear scrubs (mainly the pants), in fact a lot of people at my High School do, simply because they’re comfortable. I don’t see how what you’re wearing can cause infections. If so, those professionally trained would either be speaking out against the wearing of scrubs, or, as in this case, simply not seem to care. Those wearing them on the streets who are in fact trained professionals would not be wearing them if they are unclean, and besides, what do you expect them to do, change at lunch hour and then change back even if all they’ve been doing all day is sitting in a chair typing info into a computer? And also, do you think you’re going to control infections by having people not wear them? What do you think doctors do all day before they see you? They sit in various rooms all day with sick people and then come and talk to you with germs all over themselves. What are you suggesting we do, wrap the scrubs in shrink wrap when they’re not inside the hospital?
And that brings me to make another point:
Who cares whether one wears scrubs or not? Accetability of "Fashion" is simply a figment/idea of our imaginations, and everyone has different yet unrealistic concepts of beauty and fashion in today’s world. What may be attractive to some people – ex. scrubs – may not be attractive to others. "One man’s trash is another man’s treasure." And by judging people by what they wear before getting to know them just shows that the person doing the judging is shallow, and holds no value for what is important in life – the people themselves, not the exteriors!
Anyways, that’s my opinion on the subject. Call it a side of a debate if you want.
Laryssa
If one chooses to wear scrubs as a fashion statement is of no consequence to me, where my concerns lie is with the ones who are employed at the hospital. Sure one cannot control all things disease wise but also it is wise to understand that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. It is hardly comforting to think of doctors and nurses in charge of the sick parading out in the streets in scrubs, especially those in intensive care.
DeleteThere’s no accounting 4 taste.~>;’}
ReplyDeletefashion wise to each his/her own
DeletePure fashion…In a real hopsital setting, they can’t wear real hospital garb on the street. It’s kind of a way of say "ooooh…I’m important and smart…I save people’s lives…I’m anti-fashion…I’m efficient…" It’s pure fashion…Thanks "ER".Blah. They are comfy (When I was an EMT, we had to wear *GASP* EMT uniforms). *GRIN*.-David //BootJockey
ReplyDeletewell David. I certainly hope you are right, it is good to know.
DeleteThis is somewhat similar to the 'pajama' trend that's going on, especially among celebrities.
ReplyDeleteforeversweetlybroken.blogspot.com
hmmmmmm
DeleteI have read several articles recently about this. It is a health hazard and some of the local hospitals have set guidelines concerning this.
ReplyDeleteOh good so then its just not me. I do think its a helath hazard and there should be guidelines set in place.
DeleteI think some people wear it because they want to show off, somehow it is a symbol of status that they work in a hospital, that they might be a doctor, or worse, a surgeon. I say 'worse' because somehow surgeons are supposed to be better than doctors. Every profession is so political now a days that it's disgusting. I can't help but automatically judge people who walk around wearing scrubs.
ReplyDeletehmmmmm, ones sense of supposed superiority should not take presidence over the health and safety of others.
DeleteI completely understand your concern. I haven't started my clinicals yet so i can't speak from personal experience. I met a school mate the other day who lives in my apartment complex, he had just come home from the hospital and wouldn't hug me because he had on scrubs and i understood. Also, my sister is a nurse and she doesn't even wear her crocs in the house or pick up her kid until she takes the scrubs off.
ReplyDeleteIt's not always practical to wear street clothes and change when u get there because you might not have the time, but i know most doctors and health professionals know the right thing to do but life happens and you might have to run errands after you get off work without having a chance to go home and change. Nothing anyone can do except always wash your hands as soon as you get home which is the normal thing to do. They can't stop people from wearing scrubs around.
hmmmmmm.....exactly, your friend won't touch anyone until they are cleaned and out of the scrubs. My concerns are the opposite with the same point. Granted one cannot forestall everything there is outside in the world but at the same token, wearing scrubs through public transit where you never know what you sitting on etc and then walk into the hospital and treat ailing patience well, that's just concerning. I personally have seen people i have had casual conversation with tell me they work in the hospital and I have seen them going to work and coming from work (when we meet on mass transit) in scrubs. That's just a bit disconserting.
DeleteHey there lady, I hope everything is well with you and the family. This is really a thought provoking post, I love it. You've given me something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI have often heard that 'ignorance is bliss' but, that's not true. Ignorance (in this case) is dangerous. I do hope ALL hospitals have strict guidelines for the wearing of scrubs.
Wearing scrubs from home to work is much more of a concern than leaving work wearing scrubs, although this is not a good practice either.
I only hope that those who disagree with your POV don't have to learn about air-borne infections/diseases the 'hard way'.
Keep up the good work, lady. You're awesome.
Hey am a'ight. You know as well as i do that ignorance is only bliss when no harm is done but as life always teaches ignorance is hardly harmless. Its the reason i wrote this post, its just something i've observed and having experience loved ones being in critical care and thinking about the things and people one encounters through public transit have me wondering. I mean if someone works in Admin, no harm no fowl right? But if they are activily seeing patience can we say the same? To what degree should we think it benign?
DeleteGood Point! I am not a big fan of going into hospitals. More so with Urgent Care clinics. Let’s not go there with pharmacies! Yep…I’m a sorta’ kinda’ hygiene clean freak too.
ReplyDeletehmmmmm, well if one is blessed with never having to set foot in a hospital "glory be" and i want whatever is keeping them in such a great state of health. Realty is though we all for one reason or the other will have to visit a hospital or clinic and while we cannot control all things i think their should definitely be some guidelines as to hospital wear.
Deletethanks for stopping by , its been a while, I trust you and the family are all well?
I hadn't really given this any thought. I suppose it would depend on the persons job in a hospital. I have seen people in scrubs from time to time when I worked near a hospital. You want to freak out think about the germs that might be on a supermarket shopping cart, door handles, and public toilets. Have you ever seen anybody leave a restroom and not wash their hands! You could drive yourself nuts thinking about this stuff.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I have been to the restroom and seen people not wash their hands. Happened at work. I saw the persons shoes and realized they left without washing their hands. We were having a potluck at the time at work. I went looking for those shoes and once I found the owner and found out what their contribution to the potluck meal was. I simply passed thank you ver much. There is a saying where am from, "what heart don't see it does not grieve but what heart sees it grieves." In other words, had i not witnessed her not washing her hands I would have eaten from her none the wiser but once i saw my heart won't allow me to part-take of her offerings.
DeleteYour post raises a pertinent point.There can be no two opinion that the uniform worn in the hospital especially when they are attending patients should be hygienic and clean.May be those who wear hospital dress and whom you see on the roads are on their way back home after duty!!
ReplyDeleteThe wards and particularly ICUs are very rigid on cleanliness and hygiene to protect the patients.If they are not, it is a sad thing
therein lies my concerns about seeing people in hospital scrubs on the streets, on public transit etc., are the people am seeing working in ICUs, if so why aren't their guidelines to prohibit such a practice. Shouldn't be considered a health hazard?
Deleteok. this is truly disturbing
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly.
DeleteNever thought about this. Wow....
ReplyDeleteMy daughter wore scrubs but she was a massage therapist when she was alive. Still..., never thought about the scrubs thing.
Hmmm.... I wonder just how sanitary those scrubs are for clients as well as massage therapists.
Many nurses tend to wear a clean set of scrubs on the way to work. It also depends on what type of nurse they are and where they work. Many professions wear scrubs also, not just nurses.
ReplyDelete