Yeah wearing scrubs was traditionally meant as clothing you could easily get rid of if you got bodily fluids on yourself. They are cheap, thin material, and originally had colors meant to make it easy to identify blood if they became contaminated (although that part is not really adhered to in my experience). They are not, and never were, intended for sterility. Sterile clothing is donned and doffed within the OR or relevant treatment room. If scrubs are contaminated or used for PPE purposes they must be left at the facility and the employer is responsible for washing or disposal (by US regulations). However many people in medical facilities wear them as a uniform instead, including administrators, general caretakers, and even custodial services depending on the location. The important thing is the intent, and by most modern standards PPE which would get contaminated is worn over the scrubs.
Hell I went to the eye doctor the other day and everyone in that place was in scrubs. I dunno who would be squirting eye fluid all over them so I assume they all arrived and leave in those scrubs.
There’s also a bunch of contexts where workers wear scrubs but the exposure to contaminants is low or basically nonexistent
Like I worked in a psych hospital and the nurse practitioners were required to wear scrubs. They saw people on an outpatient basis 90% of the time or more. Their job was to sit in an office, have someone come in, interview them for a bit, write scripts, then repeat until the day was done basically. They may take temperature or blood pressure.
They were required to wear scrubs because occasionally if the inpatient dept was short staffed they would be asked to come on the floor and there you would have a much higher risk of bodily fluid exposure. But the vast majority of the time their scrubs were absolutely pristine
Not to mention the number of non-medical professionals that wear scrubs for work. Hell, if this guy goes to jail/prison he’s probably not going to like his new wardrobe.
Yeah wearing scrubs was traditionally meant as clothing you could easily get rid of if you got bodily fluids on yourself. They are cheap, thin material, and originally had colors meant to make it easy to identify blood if they became contaminated (although that part is not really adhered to in my experience). They are not, and never were, intended for sterility. Sterile clothing is donned and doffed within the OR or relevant treatment room. If scrubs are contaminated or used for PPE purposes they must be left at the facility and the employer is responsible for washing or disposal (by US regulations). However many people in medical facilities wear them as a uniform instead, including administrators, general caretakers, and even custodial services depending on the location. The important thing is the intent, and by most modern standards PPE which would get contaminated is worn over the scrubs.
Hell I went to the eye doctor the other day and everyone in that place was in scrubs. I dunno who would be squirting eye fluid all over them so I assume they all arrived and leave in those scrubs.
There’s also a bunch of contexts where workers wear scrubs but the exposure to contaminants is low or basically nonexistent
Like I worked in a psych hospital and the nurse practitioners were required to wear scrubs. They saw people on an outpatient basis 90% of the time or more. Their job was to sit in an office, have someone come in, interview them for a bit, write scripts, then repeat until the day was done basically. They may take temperature or blood pressure.
They were required to wear scrubs because occasionally if the inpatient dept was short staffed they would be asked to come on the floor and there you would have a much higher risk of bodily fluid exposure. But the vast majority of the time their scrubs were absolutely pristine
I’ve been to doctor’s offices where the people at the front desk making appointment and stuff are required to wear scrubs.
Not to mention the number of non-medical professionals that wear scrubs for work. Hell, if this guy goes to jail/prison he’s probably not going to like his new wardrobe.
A large equipment mechanic I know only wears scrubs.
I might have asked him, “What’s the diagnosis Dr.” once or twice as after he looked at a tractor/combine etc…
We wear them in the pharmacy as well. No risk of getting them dirty with blood or anything, they’re just clothes.