These days scrubs are an exceedingly common sight at every hospital and clinic. This everyday medical attire has largely replaced the far quainter image of the all-white nurse’s uniform from years past, and for very good reason. Scrubs play an important role in the field of medicine, from contributing to a sterile environment to delineating the position of staff members.

The Origin of Modern Scrubs

Medical facilities have come a long way over the years regarding uniforms. As recently as the 20th century surgeons were permitted to wear their own clothing during operations, despite the risk it posed to patients. This all changed in 1918, when the Spanish flu pandemic illustrated the importance of maintaining a sterile environment, though more so for the protection of doctors tasked with treating innumerable ailing patients.

As the emphasis on keeping operating rooms sterile ramped up, white apparel was the preferred color for medical attire due to clean fresh looks it afforded. However, this fell out of favor as staff grew concerned about eye fatigue as a result of the combination of white uniforms and the bright lights required in the operating room. Green was then chosen for its relative calming attributes, as well as its ability to conceal bloodstains during operations.

Scrubs Are the Standard Today

While green scrubs were the standard for all medical professionals for a number of years, scrubs are now available in an array of colors and patterns.  This system is utilized to differentiate between specific departments and positions, such as labour and delivery, emergency, nursing staff, etc. Which colours denote which positions tends to be left to the discretion of individual hospitals and medical clinics, while some facilities even allow their staff to personalize their scrubs to some degree. This is especially true in pediatric wards, where bright coloured scrubs are often seen as a morale booster.

Virtually all medical professionals wear some form of scrubs today, from those employed by clinics and hospitals to veterinarians tasked with providing care to animals. In addition to the many benefits mentioned above, scrubs contribute to a professional look that affords patients a sense of confidence when receiving medical care. They also afford easy identification of important personnel, which can be crucial in an emergency situation.

The Ever-Changing Face of Medicine

Modern medicine has changed quite a bit over the years, and the adoption of scrubs as a standard practice is no exception. Through a combination of important historical events and a shifting opinion about what medical professionals should look like, scrubs are now the accepted uniform in medical facilities everywhere.