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Scrubs Uniform Guide: How to choose right scrubs for work 

Harveys Workwear Uniform Research Hub

Workwear Uniform Expert

Optimizing Healthcare Scrubs: Comfort, Performance, and Infection Control in Clinical Attire

Healthcare professionals do not wear their scrubs only for aesthetics but also for the comfort, performance, and health benefits they provide. Scrubs refer to a particular work wear designed to meet the physical demands of work hours, clinical standards, and, above all, infection control standards. Performance scrubs set refer to scrubs designed to ensure that the fabric and fit of the scrubs meet the demands of the healthcare professionals in terms of performance and comfort. Even though scrubs refer to simple work wear, the overall fabric and design of the scrubs have a significant effect on the comfort and performance of the wearer, as well as the overall infection control standards of the facility.

Research has also focused on other innovations, such as antimicrobial-treated scrub fabrics, which aim to inhibit the growth of pathogens on fabrics. In a recent randomised controlled trial, scrubs treated with antimicrobial materials showed a significant reduction in pathogen growth compared to standard scrub fabrics, indicating potential benefits in reducing pathogen growth in high-risk areas. Apart from hygiene, comfort and functionality are always identified as essential factors of professional attire by healthcare professionals. 

 

In large cross-sectional studies, it was found that healthcare professionals strongly prefer scrubs over traditional uniforms like white coats because of their comfort, ease of movement, and design, which could help prevent fatigue and improve job satisfaction during long working hours. In light of these various clinical and human factor considerations, the choice of the appropriate scrub uniform is not just a matter of fashion but an evidence-based decision.

1. Start with the Right Fabric

The fabric used to make your scrub suits is the starting point for maximum comfort, durability, and safety. Fabric selection is an important factor in the thermal balance of scrub suits, as it influences wearer mobility, scrub suit durability, and its ability to meet healthcare industry washing standards.

Breathability & Comfort


Breathability of fabrics is also significant in the maintenance of body temperature, as well as the management of the loss of moisture, particularly among healthcare workers who are required to work long hours of duty in the performance of physically demanding clinical work. Studies in the science of medical textiles revealed that fabrics with high air permeability and moisture absorption capacity are more effective in the maintenance of thermal comfort through the dissipation of heat loss from the body to the surface of the skin (Havenith, 2005; Li & Wong, 2006).

 

Cotton fabrics are also used in the production of healthcare worker uniforms due to the ability of the fiber structure to permit air passage for improved moisture absorption to prevent the body from overheating (Das et al., 2011). Cotton-polyester blends also retain these positive attributes of cotton fabrics for improved wearer comfort in healthcare work environments while improving the durability of fabrics for improved overall fabric stability in wear (Mukhopadhyay & Midha, 2008).

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Durability & Washability

 

Healthcare scrubs need to be able to withstand industrial washing processes, which are carried out at high temperatures to ensure infection control and hygiene standards are met. It has been found that industrial washing processes can affect the strength, colors, and shapes of fabrics, especially those that are made of 100% natural fabrics (Kumar et al., 2016). Polyester and cotton blend scrubs have been found to possess better washability properties, resisting fabric shrinkage, abrasion, and colors (Slater, 2003).

Performance Features


Scrubs have been designed with the latest technology and materials to ensure comfort and flexibility when wearing the scrubs. Scrubs are made with spandex or elastane, which are used to ensure flexibility and ease of movement. Studies have shown that the addition of spandex or elastane, irrespective of the amount, greatly improves the flexibility of the fabric (Hu, 2004). Synthetic fabrics are also used to ensure comfort; the fabric is designed to wick away moisture from the skin and dry quickly. This is an important feature, especially for healthcare professionals who are always moving (Fan & Hunter, 2009).

2. Fit & Mobility Matter

Scrubs' fit can play an important role in comfort, movement, and professional performance. Studies have demonstrated that workwear's fit plays a crucial role in how efficiently tasks can be accomplished during physically demanding jobs.

In healthcare work, for example, workers are required to bend, stretch, lift, and stand for long periods, and clothing that hampers these movements can cause discomfort and tiredness. According to research on occupational clothing and ergonomics, “restrictive clothing reduces range of motion and increases physical strain during work activities” (Havenith, 2005).

Too Tight: Scrubs that are too tight around the shoulders, hips, and joints can hinder movements and create discomfort during day-to-day activities. An anthropometric study that focused on the uniforms of nurses reported that the lack of ease in the uniforms negatively impacted the movements of the shoulders and hips, thereby interfering with patient handling activities (Watkins & Dunne, 1985).

Too Loose: On the other hand, scrubs that are too loose can result in an unprofessional image, as well as hinder work due to entanglements. An article that centered on the design of work clothes in the healthcare sector found that “excess fabric can disrupt task performance and create unnecessary distraction in clinical environments” (Li & Wong, 2006).

 

The selection of scrubs that allow for a range of movement without having to contend with extra fabric in the folds of the clothing can also help in achieving a balance in terms of safety and efficiency in work. Clothing that has been designed with considerations of movement in place of stationary positions has been found to not only enhance the comfort of the wearer but also improve their performance (Fan & Hunter, 2009). Design features such as adjustable waistbands or elasticized sections of the fabric can help in ensuring that the clothing can stretch with the movements of the wearer during a shift, as can the selection of clothes based on actual measurements as opposed to sizes.

3. Infection Control & Hygiene

Scrubs have an important role to play in the control of infections because the uniforms of healthcare workers will always be contaminated with microorganisms during the course of their work activities and could potentially become a vehicle for the transmission of pathogens.

Barrier Function

Healthcare textiles, including scrubs, provide a barrier to prevent contact between the wearer’s skin and the healthcare environment. Though there is a lack of conclusive evidence to show that contaminated scrubs are linked to the transmission of healthcare-associated infections, it is evident from a review of various studies that there is evidence to show that "healthcare workers' uniforms, including scrubs and lab coats, become contaminated with micro-organisms during normal use," potentially putting workers at risk of infection if not properly managed.

 

Contamination of uniforms is quick, and it has been demonstrated that bacterial colonization of work uniforms can happen in a matter of hours from the start of work.

Fluid Resistance

In high-risk situations, scrub suits made of closely woven fibers or fluid-resistant fibers help to reduce the penetration of body fluids, which may be infected. This reduces the amount of fluid absorbed by the fabric, thus offering better protection against infection during surgical operations involving blood and body fluids.

Cleaning Compliance

The aspect of cleaning and washing should not be overemphasized in relation to scrub wear hygiene. Industrial washing, also known as high-temperature washing, is aimed at minimizing the quantity of infection carried by fabrics. It has been recommended that a sufficient wash at 60 °C can eliminate bacterial infections on scrub wear, which is vital to ensure that sanitizing is achieved, especially when scrub wear is washed outside the healthcare facility.

 

Compliance with high-temperature washing and regular changes of scrub wear are vital to meet the hygiene requirements, which are part of infection control measures.

Antimicrobial Textiles: What the Evidence Reveals

Although some of the fabrics used in scrub uniforms are said to have antimicrobial properties to reduce bacterial contamination, the clinical evidence of their use in a practical work setting is not substantial. A randomised controlled trial of antimicrobial scrub uniforms compared to standard polyester-cotton uniforms found no statistically significant difference in bacterial contamination of the uniforms or the skin of the healthcare workers after an 8-hour workday.

 

This indicates that, while the antimicrobial properties of the uniforms are effective in a controlled setting, their use in a practical setting to reduce bacterial contamination has not been clearly established, so standard infection control procedures such as washing uniforms properly and frequently changing uniforms are still important.

4. Functional Elements for Practical Work

Functional Pockets

Perhaps the most important aspect of scrubs is the presence of functional pockets in the right places. Properly designed functional pockets allow for easy access to vital items such as pens, writing pads, stethoscopes, gloves, etc., without the requirement for any additional equipment. Literature on the design of medical scrubs has pointed out the importance of the proper placement of more than one pocket for the efficiency of the workflow. Design of clinical attire has been studied for the purpose of understanding how scrubs can help in the reduction of interruptions during the treatment of patients (Fit Right Medical Scrubs, 2026). Other studies have proved the importance of the proper placement of functional pockets above the hips and away from the bending areas for the maximum freedom of movement.

Reinforced Stitching

Scrubs are subject to repeated movement, stretching, and washing. In such a case, medical scrubs made of poor quality fabric have a very short life. Reinforced stitching of seams, pockets, and waistbands of medical scrubs has been proved to extend the life of medical scrubs. Reinforced stitching of medical scrubs provides strength to the medical scrubs to withstand heavy usage. The stitching of medical scrubs keeps them intact even if the pockets contain equipment (Zenir, medical apparel design overview).

Minimalist Design

The multiple benefits of a simple and minimalist design of the scrub wear are numerous. A minimalist design of a uniform, which has simple lines and no or very few extraneous design elements, results in a more efficient and effective cleaning and sanitizing process, which reduces the areas where bacteria can accumulate. The minimalist design is also important in terms of overall professional appearance, credibility, peace of mind, and a design that does not distract the wearer from the task at hand, according to research by Harveys Workwear on the importance of design and hygiene.


The minimalist design of the scrub wear is one that is free of any extraneous design elements that would hinder the efficiency with which the scrubbing process can be performed. Such a minimalist design is important in terms of overall appearance, which should be neat and clean during a demanding work shift.

5. Style, Dress Codes & Department Needs

Although functionality and comfort are essential, dress code is important when buying a scrub set. Uniforms, especially color and style, are essential, considering that they play a vital role in meeting organisational needs, including how a healthcare worker is viewed.

Many healthcare institutions, such as big hospital centers, use color differentiation in scrubs to differentiate between various roles or departments. The ability to recognize various roles within a healthcare system based on standardized colors in scrubs is a common phenomenon that has been acknowledged and implemented in various healthcare institutions. For example, nurses use different colors such as navy or light blue, while the surgical team uses green or teal, and the emergency team uses different colors to recognize their role within the healthcare system. Color differentiation in scrubs is a common phenomenon in various healthcare institutions.

 

Moreover, the evidence regarding uniform preferences highlights the significance of scrub color and style for professional identity. In the study about the survey of nurses in different hospitals, the results showed that colors used in scrubs vary according to different contexts. Moreover, scrubs with specific colors are used to identify different departments in the health care system. In addition, the results showed that the most common colors used for scrubs are either navy blue or light blue, which are favored by nurses in different hospitals. Differentiation by color is significant for differentiating between different areas of practice.

 

Besides the use of color, collar, sleeves, and cut, other features of scrubs that affect their appearance include a mix of dress code and practicality, such as V-Neck tops, which are commonly accepted due to their practicality, while mock wrap tops and crew neck tops can be appropriate based on a particular dress code look. According to dress code guidelines from clinical uniform policy resources, it is recommended that “matching scrub colors to workplace standards supports both professionalism and team cohesion.”

 

In conclusion, it is clear that as long as the dress code is followed by ensuring that the scrubs chosen adhere to it, a combination of practicality and professionalism is a great way to ensure a team can be easily identified and recognized.

6. Cost vs Quality: Long-Term Value

Spend money on quality scrubs and it may be a long-term investment because quality materials and quality scrub designs will not need frequent replacement. Although basic or lightweight scrub sets appear to be a good value, research and expert opinions suggest a more comprehensive approach to total cost of ownership when purchasing scrub sets.

Quality scrub sets are made from quality fabric blends that do not fade, shrink, or wear out even with multiple industrial washing cycles, which is common in a health care setting. This, therefore, means a longer lifespan for these scrub sets, implying that replacements would be less, and this would save money in the long run. According to textile performance experts, polyester cotton and polyester spandex fabric blends "last much longer than 100% cotton and offer strength and some degree of softness," implying that these would withstand multiple washing cycles.

Furthermore, analysis of the industry with reference to uniform pricing shows that, by investing a little more in quality material, better durability and comfort can be achieved, as opposed to low-quality material that needs to be replaced often. However, it is suggested that, instead of focusing on the cost of purchase, buyers of uniforms should also consider “the total cost of ownership—including replacement frequency and laundry costs.”

Apart from this, from the sustainability point of view, the design of the healthcare uniforms of high quality has been made to last for long periods, even if the uniforms are washed frequently or subjected to industrial washing processes, without showing any signs of deterioration. In other words, the high-quality material used for the making of the uniforms not only ensures better sustainability but also proves to be cost-effective compared to the frequent replacement of low-quality materials.

 

For example, premium quality scrub fabric may be more expensive in comparison to low-quality scrub fabric; however, it would be cost-effective in comparison to low-quality fabric in terms of durability, comfort, and appearance.

Conclusion

The best decision regarding scrub uniforms goes beyond aesthetics. There is evidence that the fabric type, fit, durability, hygiene performance, and design of scrub uniforms affect the comfort, mobility, infection control, and value of scrub uniforms in a healthcare environment. Scrubs that are breathable, durable, well-fitting, easy to clean, and designed for a particular need in a department allow healthcare professionals to perform their duties more effectively in long and demanding shifts.

 

Well-designed scrub uniforms also ensure compliance with hygiene and workplace dress codes. Although less expensive options may be acceptable in low-demand environments, high-quality scrub uniforms may offer more value in terms of durability, comfort, and professional appearance in the long run.

 

Ultimately, the best decision regarding scrub uniforms is significant not only for personal health and well-being but also for organizational efficiency and professional standards. It is for these reasons that we at Harveys Workwear aim to provide scrub uniforms that can withstand the demands of the healthcare industry.

About Harveys Workwear Research Hub

The Harveys Workwear Research Hub is a reflection of this tradition of excellence. Our mission is to investigate, assess, and optimize the world of workwear – from analyzing new trends and performance information to reviewing materials, ergonomics, sustainability, and sector-specific needs.

 

This research helps Harveys fulfill its mission to provide products that not only protect workers but also promote professional identity, comfort, and productivity in the healthcare, hospitality, industrial, and corporate sectors.

 

By integrating years of knowledge with a research-focused approach, the Hub ensures that Harveys remains at the forefront of the workwear industry for quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. We look forward to sharing our knowledge with you and embarking on this journey to shape the future of workwear.

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