Abu Hurraira Khan
Scrubs Maketh Doc.
It would not be an overstatement that scrubs are the real skin of healthcare workers and that their other clothes are just off-time fits. Once you enter your clinical years in medical school, there is just no looking back from scrubs. Although scrubs are the established uniform of healthcare professionals, there is much more to them than just being a fashion statement. Scrubs are a type of protective apparel that is necessary to keep cross-contamination to a minimum. Scrubs assist in keeping medical facilities sterile in the present era of more powerful bacteria and germs. The attractive colors and patterns help combat the attire-related monotony and allow medical professionals to add a touch of their own authenticity while still maintaining the professional edge.
Although there is no shortage of scrub-selling brands in the market of today, a person buying them for the first time might be befuddled by the wide array of options available. To protect you from settling for less and easing your journey into the realm of scrubs, here are the top qualities in a decent pair of scrubs that you should look out for to narrow down the scrub hunt for you.
The material
When it comes to comfort, the material of the scrubs is the decisive factor. The materials used are usually polyester, cotton and spandex. So how do you decide which material is ideal for you? Well, if you’re looking for durability, then go for cotton. The higher the percentage of cotton, the sturdier the scrubs will be. However, they won’t be as ‘stretchable’ or as comfortable as scrubs which have a higher quantity of polyester or spandex. These materials provide comfort to the wearers, but aren’t all that durable and would need to be replaced more often. If you want durability AND comfort, then an ideal option would be to go for Dickie’s scrubs. They use a mixture of cotton and polyester, hence creating scrubs that are comfortable AND long-lasting.
Neck style
Although scrubs have a minimalistic design, there are still some minor changes you can make to personalize them. First of all, you can choose between two different neck types: high collar neck scrubs and v-neck scrubs. The high collar neck scrubs cover your clavicles and are a good way to avoid cross-contamination. However, they are extremely uncomfortable and I’d only recommend them for surgeons or junior doctors in the OT. V-neck scrubs, in contrast, are not only stylish and comfortable, but they are ideal for doctors working in hot and humid conditions as they allow your body some breathing space.
Pockets
Depending on your specialty, pockets can either be a lifesaver or a life taker. If you’re a surgeon and you store something in your chest pocket, there is a good chance of it falling out and falling into the open abdomen of your patient when you bend over them. Therefore, as a surgeon, it is better to avoid pockets since there’s a good chance you’ll store something in there and forget about it. However, if you’re on a rotation where you always have to be on the go, then pockets are your BFF – one on the chest, and two on the bottom for storing things you’ll need on the rounds.
Fitting
Should you go for a loose-fitting scrub or a tight-fitting scrub? If you value comfort over everything, then go for something loose-fitting – it provides the comfort of a nightgown whilst simultaneously fulfilling the hospital’s requirements. However, if you value style – even if it’s at the expense of comfort – then go for the fitted ones. I, for one, prefer somewhere in the middle. Tight-fitting not only restricts my movements, but I also give off major Elvis Presley vibes. However, if the scrubs are too loose they resemble my pajamas, therefore, I tend to stay somewhere in the middle.
Color
Although you can technically go for any color, it is best to avoid harsh colors. For example, colors like shocking pink or neon yellow would come across as unprofessional and thus become an obstacle when it comes to efficient patient management. However, there is a range of neutral colors you can experiment with, such as black, white, green, grey, etc. Moreover, if you work in the pediatric department, you can further customize your scrubs to make them more appealing for kids (such as adding a cartoon character.)
This brings our discussion to an end. So when you go out shopping for a new pair, keep these pointers in mind and you will be golden!