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Unveiling Scrub Secrets: Surgical vs. Nursing Scrubs Insights

30 January
2024

Unveiling Scrub Secrets: Surgical vs. Nursing Scrubs Insights

As we know medical scrubs in the healthcare industry have become a uniform for professionals. However, how much do we actually know about these medical scrubs? We see medical professionals wearing them in every healthcare facility and even though we can see the different colors and patterns; how much do we know about the different types of scrub? For example what is the difference between surgical scrubs and nursing scrubs?

Though it seems like the terms surgical scrubs and nursing scrubs are interchangeable, there's actually quite a few differences between them.

1. Functionality

As medical scrubs are worn for long hours every day, the functionality in nursing scrubs and surgical scrubs therefore, refers to how useful their particular medical scrubs are for a busy medical professional? How advantageous are they for a medical professional throughout the day?

Surgical Scrubs

Surgical scrubs are made from fabric that is non-absorbent, easy to clean and does not create lint quickly. This is why it is specially designed to be worn during surgical procedures. Surgical scrubs are disposable and designed to be worn only in a sterile and clean environment, like that of operating rooms.

Nursing Scrubs

Nursing scrubs are not specifically designed for a single task and are therefore worn by a variety of healthcare professionals of many different branches in the field of medicine.

2. Design

The design of surgical scrubs as well as nursing scrubs refers to the features that the medical uniforms possess to increase its functionality and productivity of the medical professional.

Surgical Scrubs

In order to prevent tearing, surgical scrubs usually have reinforced seams, along with strong extra pockets for storing surgical tools. This increases the performance of the medical staff in the operating room.

Nursing Scrubs

Compared to surgical scrubs, nursing scrubs might have less pockets, but are often more breathable and light weight. This allows the medical staff to carry on with their duties throughout a busy shift without getting worn down by the weight of their scrubs.

3. Colors and Style

The adaptation to colored medical scrubs from the basic white scrubs was a tremendous advancement in medical uniforms. It denoted that doctors back then had finally begun to pay attention towards the mental impact of dealing with sick patients all day. The colors for both nursing scrubs and surgical scrubs play a significant role in the performance of the medical professional.

Surgical Scrubs

Traditionally surgical scrubs are either blue or green colored to create a color contrast in the operation theater that is typically white and bright. This contrast allows the doctors to see better, as it puts less strain on the eyes. The green surgical scrubs also create a contrast that helps surgeon to differentiate the different shades of pink and red during surgeries.

Nursing Scrubs

Nursing scrubs come in a variety of colors as they are worn by a variety of healthcare professionals. The colors of nursing scrubs are usually assigned according to the departments of the healthcare facility as well as the job designation of the staff member.

4. Pants and Bottoms

Based on the job description of the medical professionals, the pants and bottoms of surgical scrubs as well as nursing scrubs have different characteristics to ensure optimal functionality.

Surgical Scrubs

Surgical scrubs usually have a pants that are straight leg with either drawstring, elastic or a combination of the two. This allows extra mobility as well as optimum comfortability in securing the bottoms according to your individual body type.

Nursing Scrubs

As nursing scrubs come in so many different varieties, even the pants are available in an array of designs. Though you can match the style of your pants your nursing uniform, usually nursing scrub pants are designed to contour the body with flares and curves. Nursing scrub pants curve at the hip area and usually have an elastic waistband which limits free movement and is more form fitting.

5. Style And Sterility

Because healthcare professionals are always so busy running around their facilities, they have to take heed regarding not just their health, cleanliness and sterility but also their style and comfortability. Even in this regard the function of nursing scrubs and surgical scrubs is vastly different.

Surgical Scrubs

When it comes to style surgical scrubs are always solid colored and unisex to ensure optimal performance. Surgical scrubs are also only worn in the sterile environment of the operating room and disposed-of post use. The loose fitting of the unisex cut allows the medical professionals to move around freely, allowing them to fully commit to their caregiving responsibilities.

Nursing Scrubs

Nursing scrubs are catered to the general population of healthcare professionals and as such come in a range of colors, cuts and styles. Nursing scrub styles cater to men and women separately to ensure a stylish and comfortable custom fitted set of scrubs. The material used to make nursing scrubs is usually a combination of materials designed to keep the nursing uniforms breathable, moisture wicking, comfortable and light.

Conclusion

Despite being worn in the same environment, nursing scrubs and surgical scrubs fulfill very different purposes. One is designed with a specific objective in mind, whereas the other is general professional attire. Both of those however, are worn with the intent of providing the best medical care possible to those that need it.