Doctors and nurses throughout US hospitals wear scrubs to protect themselves from infection and to ensure antiseptic environments for their patients. While the use of scrubs to ensure cleanliness is now nearly ubiquitous, it took more than a century of trial and error for hospitals and surgeons to come to a consensus about what to wear in the operating room. At the turn of the 19th century, surgeons would generally wear street clothes when treating patients. Gauze was collected from the leavings of cotton mills, and surgeons didn't even wear masks when doing work on patients. Thanks in large part to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, operating room procedures underwent significant revision. By the 1970s, surgeons, doctors, and nurses had adopted numerous pieces of protective garb. At first, scrubs were produced as bright white garments. However, surgeons who spend long hours in the OR developed eyestrain as the result of glare. Thus, hospital staffs switched over to green garments, which reduced eyestrain. Today, most hospital staff members, nurses, and patient handlers wear scrubs. Children's hospital administrators often wear scrubs with fun patterns, such as cartoon characters, to put patients at ease. Scrubs can also indicate hospital positions. Surgeons, for instance, typically wear green or sea blue uniforms, while labor and delivery specialists wear lavender scrubs. As a result of sterility concerns, most modern day health workers dispose off scrubs fairly regularly. Through online auctions, you may be able to find great discounts on quality, sterile medical gear. Scrubs make great loungewear due to their roomy fit and soft, cotton fabric.
|
