When you work in the medical field, you’ve got to keep yourself well-protected. It’s a given that you’re exposed to bacteria, germs, and viruses. This also isn’t unlike an office, where you’ll be sitting comfortably for most of the day while doing your job. When you’re in the hospital, you’re constantly moving around, doing a lot of physical hard work. So, apart from dressing well to keep your body protected from exposure to viruses, there’s also the need to dress comfortably.
This is how medical scrub pants and suits came to be. A scrub suit is the well-loved uniform of those who work in the hospital. Fortunately, with the evolution of style, scrub suits didn’t stay behind. Gone are the days when scrubs were drab. Today, as long as you purchase from a good supplier and choose the best option, your scrubs can just be as fashionable.
Being that said, here are some tips that’ll come in handy, as you head out to shop for scrub suits:
- Choose A Fabric That Suits You
You know very well what scrub suits look like. But, do you also know that they’re not all the same? Scrubs can be made from different kinds of fabrics. Typically, the choice comes down to you, and choose which one you prefer. Poppy Scrubs, for instance, offers a range of high-quality scrub options in various fabric types, allowing you to select the one that suits your comfort and style preferences best.
Here are two of the most common fabric types chosen for scrubs:
- Cotton. This is well-loved for basically any piece of clothing or uniform, because of its comfort. Plus, it also goes through good wear and tear. Meaning, that even if you regularly wash it after every shift, it won’t look old and worn as easily and as fast as other fabrics do. Cotton is thin, but also very strong. Plus, this can give a very flattering fit, even for a scrub suit.
- Polyester. This type of fabric is synthetic and chemically made, which is a mix of air, coal, petroleum, and water. While it’s not as natural as cotton, there are still many advantages to choosing polyester as the fabric for your scrubs. It’s quick-drying, durable, and wrinkle-resistant.
- Prioritize Comfort
Working in the hospital means working long hours. You’ll be walking back and forth from different patients, and duty hours can even go beyond 24 hours. So, above anything else, you should also dress for comfort. If you’re uncomfortable, your shift is going to feel unbearable.
So, the key is to make sure that your scrubs are always very comfortable. You’ll want to have room enough to move your body around, reaching out for many pieces of equipment and hospital tools.
- Quality Is Key
Another very important factor you’ve got to consider is quality. The material matters as well as the manufacturer. You wouldn’t want to end up with scrubs that get torn easily, or that succumb to daily washing.
The most important determinants of quality include:
- It has to be durable
- It should be easy to clean
- It should maintain its shape
- It dries quickly
- It’s wrinkle and stain-resistant
- Factor in Your Dress Code
Depending on the hospital you work in and the specific department you’re in, you’ll also have to factor in the specific dress code. Yes, these are scrubs but each department may have a dress code requirement as to color and print.
For instance, non-printed fabrics are preferred for surgery, to avoid any distractions. On the other hand, bright, colourful printed fabrics are for the pediatric department, to make it more child-friendly. That way, kids won’t have to feel so intimidated by the presence of scrubs.
In this regard, you’ve got to be aware of the psychology of colours. These can trigger many emotions, and viewing certain colours can also affect the way people feel and think.
The most popular colours for scrubs are hues in blues and greens because it’s calming. Especially in a hospital setting, you’ll want to do everything that you can to keep your patients feeling relaxed. Because you’re the one patients and their respective family members see the whole time, you can play a major role in making sure that they stay calm, no matter the circumstance they’re facing. In the field of surgery, these colours are also preferred as they offset blood. This makes it easier for nurses, doctors, and surgeons to see how much blood is lost, to avoid excessive bleeding.
- Pockets Vs. No Pockets
While scrubs with pockets are the most loved and preferred choice, some prefer scrubs without one.
Think about what you need to have for your job. Is it necessary to have two front pockets? Or will one be enough? If you don’t do rounds and you’re just in your clinic the entire day, perhaps like a dentist or a therapist, pockets won’t be that necessary.
If you need pockets, you’ll also need to decide on their size. It’s important not to have too small or too big pockets. Have it too small, it won’t meet the needs. Have it too big, and it’ll only make moving around seamlessly a tad bit more difficult. You wouldn’t want the contents of your pockets to obstruct free flow and movement.
- Factor in Your Body Type
All other factors considered you’ll still want to look good even in your scrubs. Don’t have one that’s too loose, or else you’ll look frumpy. If it’s too tight, you’ll look like you’ve been squeezed in. Consider your body type, as well.
Apart from the aesthetics of it, when your scrubs look good and fit well on you, it improves your professionalism. This creates a better impact on your patients, as they’ll also become more comfortable. Surely, they wouldn’t want to put their health in the hands of someone who doesn’t look like they prepared well enough for the job.
Conclusion
Scrub suits are more than just a uniform. It’s the exact hospital wear you need, for you to stay comfortable while doing your job. Whether you’re up on late-night shifts, or through the early morning rush, it’s only going to feel even more dreadful when you don’t have free movement and what you’re wearing isn’t comfortable. You can think of your scrubs in the hospital as your pyjamas, had you just been at home. But, like your pyjamas, it also doesn’t have to be sloppy. The tips above can balance out comfort and style when you have to use scrubs to work.
Leave a Reply