Surgical scrubs and the changing hospital environment

Surgical scrubs changed the medical world by providing a safer and healthier environment which earlier was a difficult thing to achieve. Surgical uniforms are now used in every hospital all across the globe for a professional feel and sanitary look.

Medical is one profession where there is a great chance to contract an illness due to poor hygiene. Doctors, since twentieth century, are using scrub uniforms during working hours in hospitals in an effort to maintain a sterile environment inside the premises and ultimately to decrease the rate of infection. Originally it was designed for the doctors to save them from patient's illness which later proved rewarding for the patients' health and this movement of cleanliness then influenced the global medical professionals.

All medical professionals wear surgical scrubs not only inside the operation theater but also outside. Scrubs are simple medical uniforms comprising an usual cotton short sleeved shirt and comfortable drawstring pant. This simple and comfortable outfit not only helps the doctors keep them protected from acquiring deadly infections but also helps to keep away the bodily fluids and stains.

Basically light green is the color of preference for such kinds of uniforms but with the evolution of time, shift from this color has been experienced providing plenty of options to the designers. Now scrub uniforms come in variety of colors and many hospitals often use the color of uniforms to differentiate between different departments. Surgical scrubs are mostly found in green or blue shade while some of the departments also prefer bright and cheerful colors like pink for other departments. It is quite interesting to know that some of the hospitals provide their pediatrics professionals scrub uniforms with prints of cartoon characters.
Reflecting hygiene, these special outfits are also used at dentist's clinic and general hygienists. In fact some of the doctors ask their receptionists too to wear scrub uniform in order to offer a sanitary look and professional feel to the clinic.

Working in medical profession without using these outfits initially put a question mark on the health of patients. Those who underwent surgery were more prone to acquire post-surgery complications and infections due to poor hygiene. Post surgery death rate was really high which gave the patients a fear of loosing life if doctors advised them to go under the knife. Changes followed steadily and after the use of carbolic acid by Joseph Lister, time witnessed a complete change. Use of sterile surgical instruments followed and then came the trend of surgical uniforms like scrubs. Doctors then began to operate under sterile and antiseptic conditions saving more lives and spreading happiness.

Surgical scrubs have strengthened the medical grounds and have enhanced the faith of families on doctors. Along with life saving medicines, doctors began to use live saving environment with scrubs uniforms that ultimately spread happiness in families of several patients.