THE LEADING EXPERTS IN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE CUSTOM GARMENTS
中文

call us

+86-21-59114599

email us

wwp@shzxfs.com

WhatsApp

+8613817611440
#
News Details

History of Medical Scrubs

2022-12-31 09:38:47

Medical scrubs were introduced in the twentieth century as a means to step up cleanliness in healthcare services. That raises the question, what did medical professionals use to maintain cleanliness before the emergence of these scrubs. We will explore the details right here!

The Origin of the Medical Scrubs

Today any medical uniform consisting of short-sleeved shirts and drawstring pants is called a scrub. The uniform acquired its name quite simply because of the fact it was initially worn by medical personnel in the scrubbed environment.

Before medical scrubs came into the picture, surgeons performed surgeries in their street clothes with an apron or cover on them in order to keep their clothes clean. It was during the year 1918 when a flu pandemic struck and the doctors started wearing masks – more for their own protection rather than their patient’s protection from infection.

Medical scrubs, however, first came to be used in the 1940s as medical professionals became more aware of the risks of wound infections. This was also the time that the need for having separate sanitary operating rooms was felt more intensely than before! In fact, by this time, the antiseptic technique was regularly deployed in operation suites to prevent the spread of pathogens and infections.

The Evolution of Medical Scrubs

These scrubs initially were available in the form of gowns or drapes that covered the medical surgeon, while they were performing surgeries.

In the 1950s and 1960s, they were used regularly in operating rooms. It was during this time that they were crafted from white fabric, which displayed cleanliness. However, with the passage of time white gave way to the blues, greens, and pinks. Why? You may ask! It’s because of the white color against the bright light started straining the medical staff’s eyes. Some of the immediate benefits of the other shades were:

  • They minimized eye fatigue
  • Made blood stains less obvious
  • Paved the way for a high-contrast working environment

By the 1970s green surgical scrubs almost became a standard and became the basis of the modern non-surgical scrubs that are donned by healthcare staff in the hospitals. Today, the majority of medical staff are required to wear medical scrubs whenever they are rendering services in a clean environment. The hospitals generally end up leasing or owning surgical scrubs because of sterility issues. Both women and men’s medical scrubs are crafted from durable fabric that absorbs bodily fluids and blood with equal ease. Now medical scrubs are available in a variety of colors and fits as the original green scrubs did not leave any room to distinguish among different patient care departments, patient care personnel, and support staff.