Understanding the Purpose AND BENEFITS of Medical Scrubs

When you think about medical scrubs, what comes to mind? Grey’s Anatomy or another medical television show? Do you think about doctors, surgeons, and nurses? Have you ever wondered why healthcare workers wear scrubs? There are a few primary reasons why, and we’ll explore these in the space below.

The Origin of Scrubs

First, what are scrubs? Medical scrubs are an essential part of infection control in the healthcare industry. Healthcare workers come into contact with a variety of germs and microorganisms daily, making it crucial for them to have protective clothing that can act as a barrier against these pathogens.

The history of scrubs goes back many years. Before the advent of medical scrubs, doctors and surgeons performed their duties in regular clothing, which was often covered by an apron to protect from blood and other bodily fluids. The concept of sterilization and cleanliness in the medical field began gaining importance in the mid-19th century, largely due to the work of figures like Joseph Lister, who promoted antiseptic techniques in surgery.

In the early 20th century, the understanding of germ theory and the importance of sterile environments led to the adoption of more sanitary clothing in medical settings. By the 1940s, medical professionals began wearing white coats, which symbolized cleanliness. But during the time when all medical professionals began dressing in white, surgical areas were also white and sterile. It was discovered that all of the white was very straining on the eyes of the surgeon. So medical staff began dressing in another color—green. Today, you will find hospital scrubs in different colors and even in bright patterns.

Why Are Scrubs Important?

In addition to relieving eye strain, scrubs of various colors are used to ensure sterility. When a surgeon comes to work in her street clothes, she changes into scrubs that are clean and sterile. This is essential, as she might be going into surgery or meeting with patients. She can’t expose her patients to bacteria and germs from the outside world. Patients need clean, sterile environments and staff to help speed up their recovery.

The same is true in reverse. When the same surgeon leaves the hospital, she changes out of her scrubs. This helps limit the public’s exposure to germs and bacteria from the hospital patients. If she wore her scrubs home from the hospital, she runs the risk of getting someone in the general public sick.

Now you know more about why scrubs are worn by medical staff. It’s much more than just a fashion statement to set them apart from the crowd. Scrubs for medical professionals are required protective clothing that helps keep cross-contamination to a minimum. In today’s world of increasingly strong bacteria and germs, keeping medical environments sterile is a must—scrubs help make this possible. They are available in a variety of styles, colors, and fabrics to allow healthcare workers to express a little of their personalities through their stylish scrubs, while some healthcare facilities require staff to wear scrubs in specific colors to help identify their roles.

Today, scrubs are worn by a wide variety of medical professionals, including but not limited to:

• Surgeons
• Surgical nurses
• Anesthesiologists
• Medical technicians
• Physicians
• Dentists
• Veterinarians
• Medical residents
• Respiratory therapists
• Home healthcare aides

You may see different people dressed in hospital scrubs while out in public. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are covered in germs and bacteria; they could be on their way to work. It may be their day off, and they simply enjoy the comfort of the scrubs. In general, most medical professionals keep their scrub-wearing to the hospital and practices, rather than in public. Not only for safety, but also to present a professional appearance while on the job.

Choosing the Right Medical Scrubs

Healthcare workers often work long hours and require uniforms that allow them to move around freely and comfortably. Scrubs are designed to meet these needs, with features such as adjustable waistbands, stretchy fabrics, and pockets for carrying essential tools and supplies.

Prudential Overall Supply offers a variety of medical scrub uniforms, including the Unisex Scrub Top and Scrub Pant, designed with functionality in mind. Features of each are described below.

The Unisex Scrub Top:

• Reversible
• Left breast pocket inside and out
• V-neck collar
• Color match neck bias to identify size
• Set-in sleeves
• 50/50 polyester/cotton twill
• Sizes: XS-5XL
• 51-49-49 ceil blue
• 51-49-33 jade green

The Unisex Scrub Pant:

• Reversible
• Back hip pocket
• Color-coded drawstrings to identify size
• Sewn in gussets on size large and up
• 50/50 polyester/cotton twill
• Sizes: XS-5XL
• 52-49-49 ceil blue
• 52-49-33 jade green

We’re confident that these are truly the best scrubs for medical students and working professionals alike.

Caring for Medical Scrubs

It’s essential to educate healthcare workers and administrators about the importance of proper care and maintenance of medical scrubs. Prudential Overall Supply’s rental unisex scrubs are an excellent choice for healthcare workers looking for comfort, practicality, and professionalism.

By using our laundry services, healthcare workers can ensure that their scrubs are properly cleaned and maintained, promoting a safe and hygienic environment within the healthcare facility.

Proper care and maintenance of medical scrubs provide multiple benefits:

• Hygiene: Ensures the removal of pathogens and contaminants, thereby reducing the risk of infection.
• Longevity: Extends the lifespan of scrubs and maintains their quality over time, so more use cycles are possible before it’s necessary to replace the apparel.
• Professionalism: Keeps scrubs looking clean and professional, which is essential in a healthcare setting.

By outsourcing your laundry needs to Prudential, your facility can devote more time and energy to other mission-critical functions.

Benefits of Medical Scrubs

We can sum up the varied advantages of medical scrubs as follows:

Infection Control: Medical scrubs are designed to be easy to clean and disinfect, which helps to prevent the spread of infections and diseases in healthcare settings.

Professional Appearance: Wearing scrubs can help maintain a professional appearance in the workplace, which can promote confidence and trust between healthcare providers and patients.

Comfort: Medical scrubs are designed to be comfortable and practical for healthcare workers, with features such as breathable fabrics, stretchy materials, and pockets for carrying medical tools.

Safety: Medical scrubs often have bright colors or patterns that make healthcare workers more visible in busy environments, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.

Identification: Different colors or styles of medical scrubs can help to identify different roles within a healthcare team, such as doctors, nurses, and assistants. This is one of the reasons why professional scrubs for nurses look different from those of doctors.

Cost-Effective: Medical scrubs are often more cost-effective than traditional work clothes, as they are designed to be durable and long-lasting.

Ease of Maintenance: Medical scrubs can often be easily laundered and maintained, which can save time and money for healthcare providers.

Choose Prudential for Top-Quality Medical Scrubs and Laundry Services

We don’t just stop by providing you with the highest quality scrubs. We also offer rental laundry services that ensure your new medical scrubs stay clean and fresh. Our laundry services use state-of-the-art technology and environmentally friendly processes to ensure that your scrubs are cleaned to the highest standard. That means you will always be able to provide your staff with the best comfortable scrubs for doctors and other medical staff possible.

Apart from offering the best medical scrubs for doctors, we have a variety of similar apparel designed for these environments. Our inventory of medical professional clothing includes lab coats and medical jackets, all of them manufactured in compliance with the highest industry standards.

Choose Prudential Overall Supply for the best quality uniforms and scrubs for office staff and related medical professionals, as well as top-notch customer service from an experienced team. Order your medical scrubs and laundry services today and experience the difference for yourself!