Use of scrubs and related apparel in health care facilities

There is no scientific evidence that the use of scrubs or other related apparel contributes to either the cause or the prevention of infections associated with health care facilities. However, because this type of apparel is now used so commonly as a replacement for the more traditional type of uniform, its original function as an ensemble worn by surgical personnel no longer prevails. The variety of these applications actually raises a new series of issues and challenges that would be best resolved by a multidisciplinary health care group with representatives from administration, nursing, medicine, materials management, human resources, infection control, and other affected departments. The purpose of this report is to facilitate this process.