Medical scrubs are now integral to the medical industry, providing numerous advantages for healthcare professionals and patients. Apart from being a basic outfit, medical scrubs are created to meet the particular requirements of the healthcare industry. This article will discuss the significance of Medical Scrubs and how they can improve comfort, hygiene, and professionalism.
What’s the reason scrubs are referred to as scrubs?
Scrubs were initially intended for use by OR personnel who had to wash their hands before entering the surgical room. It was necessary to put on scrubs with their other clothing before the surgery to create the cleanliness of the operating room. Today, hospital employees wear scrubs, such as doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants.
Comfort:
Healthcare professionals often work lengthy days and physically demanding jobs. Medical scrubs are light and breathable, ensuring maximum comfort for health professionals on their shifts. They allow for mobility, eliminating restriction and discomfort during emergencies or procedures.
In addition, their loose fit reduces sweat and heat retention, creating a more comfortable environment for workers.
Hygiene:
It is essential to maintain a healthy and clean environment in the healthcare environment. Medical scrubs are specifically designed to prevent the spreading of harmful bacteria and other harmful contaminants.
The fabric used for scrubs is usually resistant to staining and can be used for regular cleaning at very high temperatures. This assists in disinfecting and sterilizing clothes effectively. In addition, the minimalist design of scrubs with only a few pockets and without unnecessary decorations decreases the possibility of storing potentially harmful pathogens or substances.
Professionalism:
How healthcare professionals are presented is essential in establishing confidence and trust. Medical scrubs offer a uniform appearance that allows patients to recognize healthcare professionals easily and is particularly important for large medical establishments.
Scrubs also signify professionalism and experience, which reassures patients that they’re receiving treatment from qualified professionals. Additionally, scrubs are available in various styles and colors, which allows healthcare professionals to display their individuality while keeping their professional appearance.
Infection Control:
The medical industry is constantly fighting the threat of infection. Medical scrubs play an essential part in infection control strategies. When wearing scrubs exclusively in the medical setting, healthcare personnel can avoid the spread of infectious agents between their workplaces and the general population. In addition, scrubs are designed to be easily cleaned and washed, decreasing the chance of cross-contamination.
Medical scrubs aren’t just regular uniforms but a vital component of the medical industry. Apart from presenting a professional look, scrubs also provide healthcare professionals convenience, hygiene, and benefits for infection control.
Because they can stand up to the constant washing process and withstand stains, medical scrubs create a safe and clean environment for healthcare professionals and patients. By investing in top-quality scrubs, healthcare facilities show their dedication to the health of their employees and patients, ultimately improving the overall quality of healthcare offered.
Tips For Cleaning Your Nursing Scrubs
Cleanse scrubs with warm water, then mix in white vinegar
If you’re first bringing your scrubs back home, Wash them in warm water. For washing machines at home, warm water is about 90° F. It’s an ideal temperature to clean fabrics without noticeable shrinking or fading. Add half a cup of white vinegar into the wash to set an even color for your scrubs and keep the fabric smooth.
Washing stains with pretreatment before cleaning
If you come across any challenging staining, such as blood, ointment, or any bodily fluids, treat these stains before taking care of your nursing scrubs in case the stains develop if they aren’t cleaned out thoroughly.
Make sure they are turned inside out before washing
Like washing your favorite pair of jeans, changing your scrubs upside down can help stop pilling and fade and help keep your fabric in great shape.
Wash scrubs separately from other clothing.
The scrubs you wash won’t harm other clothing in your wardrobe once they’re cleaned. It’s essential to wash them in separate batches to ensure that there is no chance of contamination.
Avoid using bleach regularly unless you’re cleaning
It is tempting to use bleach to clean a fresh white lab coat; however, resist the urge to use it regularly. Bleach can make buttons yellow and discolor personal logos that have been imprinted onto the buttons over time. While oxygen-based bleaches work well to remove dye stains, regular bleach should generally be avoided for most washings.
Using color-safe bleach is a good idea when you need to disinfect scrubs. It is best to do this following the time that scrubs are usually cleaned. Follow the instructions on the packaging and add the appropriate amount of bleach to your washer’s dispenser. You can dilute it with water before adding it to the washer’s drum. Don’t apply bleach directly onto the fabric, as it can cause holes or stains to be left in the fabric.
Check for stains before drying
Before moving them to dryers, examine your scrubs for lingering staining. After drying the fabric, the stains will become almost impossible.
Dry the scrubs at high temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes to get the best disinfecting power. If you’re not concerned about disinfection, drying at the lowest setting will be sufficient. If shrinkage is a concern, such as in scrub jackets or lab coats, You may want to dry the pieces in a line.
Cleaning your nursing scrubs is a vital task, and if you try to do it correctly, you’ll be able to ensure you’re professionally dressed and ready for that next assignment.
Wash your nursing scrubs thoroughly after you leave work
To ensure that you don’t spread bacteria or fluids onto clothing following your shift, clean your scrubs as quickly as you can or keep them separate from your other dirty clothes. Wear gloves while handling the scrubs if they’re filthy.
Find your next nursing job with Onward Healthcare by searching for openings in your area of knowledge.