Introduction
Green scrubs are the go to medical uniform of choice among physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals alike. Designed to be comfortable yet practical and easy to keep clean, green scrub have become ubiquitous in healthcare environments today. But where did this trend originate and evolve from? In this blog post, we’ll look into its origin and history, including benefits and drawbacks, as well as tips for buying and caring for green scrub.
Are you a medical professional looking to enhance your attire? Our latest hub article, titled “Professional Attire: Dark Blue Scrubs for Medical Personnel,” dives into the elegance and functionality of dark blue scrubs in the medical field.
The Origin and Evolution of Green Scrubs
The history of green scrubs can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when surgeons began to wear white coats and aprons over their street clothes to protect them from blood and other fluids. However, white was not best choice for operating rooms, as it reflected bright lights and caused eye strain for surgeons. It also showed stains quickly and could harbor bacteria and germs.
In the 1910s, some surgeons started experimenting with different colors for their surgical attire, like blue, pink, purple and green. They found that green was most soothing color for eyes, as it contrasted well with red blood and created a calming effect. Green also helped to hide stains and reduce glare. By the 1930s, green became standard color for surgical gowns and drapes.
In the 1940s and 1950s, as medicine became more advanced and sterile, surgical gowns and drapes became more disposable and made of paper or cotton. However, they were still bulky and hot to wear. In the 1960s and 70s, surgeons adopted a more straightforward and casual style of dressing for surgery by wearing short sleeved cotton or polyester shirts with trousers. These garments became known as scrubs since scrub nurses wore them while cleaning operating rooms.
Scrubs became popular among other medical professionals, offering comfort, convenience and hygiene. They also allowed for easy identification of different roles and specialties using different colors or patterns. For example, anesthesiologists typically wear blue scrubs, pediatricians favor pink ones and general surgeons wear green ones.
In the 1980s and 90s, scrubs became more fashionable and diverse, featuring different styles, cuts, prints and accessories. Some scrubs even featured cartoon characters, logos or slogans to express personality or humor. Scrubs became more accessible and affordable to the general public thanks to retail store sales and online selling channels.
Today, scrubs remain an indispensable tool for healthcare workers worldwide. Crafted from materials like cotton, polyester, rayon and spandex and featuring antimicrobial fabrics, scrubs come in various colors, sizes, shapes and designs. Furthermore, depending on the country or institution healthcare providers work, they must adhere to different regulations or standards when wearing scrubs.
Understanding Green Scrubs
Green scrubs are not just fashion choice or tradition. You should know several advantages and disadvantages before buying or wearing them.
Some of the benefits of green scrubs are:
- They are easy to spot in crowded or busy environments.
- They create sense of professionalism and authority.
- They reduce eye fatigue and stress for surgeons and other staff.
- They help to camouflage stains and spills.
- These may contain antimicrobial or antifungal properties to ward off infections and keep infections at bay.
These are some of the drawbacks of green scrubs are:
- These garments may fade or discolor due exposure to water or sunlight.
- Some products can cause sensitive reactions and skin irritation in some individuals.
- Depending on the season or climate, temperatures could become excessively warm or cool.
- They may be too loose or tight depending on your fit or size.
- They may be dull compared to other colors or patterns.
Why Choose Green Scrubs?
As a healthcare worker who must wear scrubs, you may wonder why green scrubs would be best suited to you. Here are a few reasons that green scrub could be right for you:
- You work in surgical setting or specialty that requires green scrubs.
- Do you like color green or it matches your skin tone or hair color?
- You want to look professional and confident in front of your patients or colleagues.
- You want to avoid eye strain or headaches from bright lights or contrasting colors.
- You want to minimize the risk of infection or contamination from germs or fluids.
Caring for Green Scrubs
Green scrubs are relatively easy to care for if you follow simple guidelines. Here are some tips on how to wash, dry, iron, store and dispose of your green scrubs:
- Wash your green scrubs separately from other clothes in cold water with mild detergent.
- Please do not use bleach or fabric softener, as they may damage the fabric or color.
- Dry your green scrubs on low heat or hang them to air dry.
- Iron your green scrubs on low heat or steam them to remove wrinkles.
- Store your green scrubs in clean and dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Dispose of your green scrubs in designated bin or bag if they are contaminated or damaged.
Conclusion
Green scrubs are more than just uniform. They are symbols of the medical profession and tools for improving performance and safety. They have long and fascinating history and variety of benefits and drawbacks. It need regular care and maintenance to stay in good condition, whether you are surgeon, nurse or student. Green scrubs can make any job more comfortable while increasing efficiency and effectiveness. So, next time you wear your green scrub, remember to appreciate their value and significance.
