Scrubs in Public

[JC76]

My husband would never wear visibly stained/dirty scrubs out somewhere after he gets off work, but I have to admit there have been several instances over the past two years where he's met me out somewhere in the city at a casual place in his scrubs. He doesn't like doing it, but it's usually because if he went home and changed first he'd lose an hour and hours are just too precious.

We've been debating whether that should change after we have the baby in October though. Wondering if it's worthwhile start to be a little more germ conscious at home with a newborn.

I've only had one person ever tell me that they think it's disgusting to see someone out in public in scrubs. Maybe more people think it and just don't say it. Where we live in our city though there are several hospitals in fairly close proximity and you see people in scrubs walking down the street all over the place.

[Thirteen]

Sheesh, I must wash at least 5 pairs of scrubs every week. And I hate to admit, DrK has worn them in resturants to/from work or mid-day.

Yep. Same here --

[SuzySunshine]

My DH also doesn't wear scrubs to or from the hospital - he wears khakis or jeans and polos or dress shirts in, then changes and changes back before he comes home. His work shoes also stay at work - I haven't seen his Dansko's in 5+ years.

My DH's hospital also has the rule that they must wear their lab coats if they are in scrubs and are not in the OR. At least in his department.

As for rules he could wear his home here but if he got caught wearing them into the hospital he'd have to change into a new pair before he scrubbed any cases, they're very strict on getting wound infections down. He can't even wear the scrub caps I made him anymore.

[Meenah]

I would worry more about the shoes!!!!!

[Vishenka69]

DH prefers to wear scrubs to/from work whenever possible. He will usually come back in the same pair unless there are serious bodily fluids involved. We used to (before AMT) write off the weekly laundering of scrubs off taxes. I believe our accountant takes off a portion of our electricity/water bill and then adds a bit for detergent. I wash the scrubs with the white socks that he wears with clogs in Tide and bleach, and obviously separately from everything else. He does leave his clogs in the car though.

We also have a colorful collection from many different places. I tried wearing an old pair to paint but quickly realized that the paint soaks right through and into the skin. Now we use old ones for pj's when the need arrises.


ETA: I remember seeing people on the NYC subway in scrubs and thinking, "Yuck, they're taking all the subway germs into the hospital with them." Another funny story, our building in the Bronx had a common laundry room on the first floor. One day I was in the elevator going home from work when a woman said to me, "Your husband must be a doctor." When I gave her a blank stare, she explained, "I always see you wash so many scrubs."

[migirl]

DH used to wear scrubs to/from the hospital, but the new chairman has kind of cracked down on that so now he wears street clothes to/from and changes at the hospital.

I see lots of people here wearing scrubs out in public as well, and I honestly never gave it a second thought. Just doesn't bother me, I guess.

Apparently I should rethink my laundering policy as well, since I just throw his scrubs in with the rest of our laundry. I figure by the time he gets home and changes and the scrubs get laundered, anything infectious is going to be dead. Then again, if his scrubs are visibly stained with something, DH usually just throws them out.

[Phoebe]

DH wears scrubs always. His groups special orders a navy blue with their name on them (DH doesn't do that). However, he rebels and steals the hospital's scrubs because the likes them better. In the NICU, they aren't allowed jewelry or lab coats. His scrubs don't really get dirty because if they are doing procedures they gown up. They also have this whole procedure of handwashing with a million different soaps. I wash the scrubs. Shoes are taken off at the door.

[DCJenn]

My husband doesn't wear scrubs, he wears his ACUs (Army Combat Uniform). He wears the same set to and fro.

Jenn

[alison]

I may be the lone voice here that says I don't like 'em. I don't like them in my house, in the car, in my laundry. I don't like them in a restaurant nor in a subway. I do not like them, Alison I am.

I don't like it when people bring little dogs into shops either (unless it's a guide dog).

But, I don't go around policing people when they do wear scrubs.

[MrsK]

I bring my little dog into shops.

[alison]

I bring my little dog into shops.

Just kidding.

I don't like it, but don't listen to me.

[Rapunzel]

DH lives in his scrubs! He always went to work and came back home in his scrubs during residency. But he didn't have any direct patient contact with his line of work. No bodily fluids and only exposed to the germs of his coworkers (like any office environment). He sleeps in scrubs and wears them as often as possible because they are so comfy.

The military is really weird, thoug. He has to wear combat gear (what I call a costume) to work and then change into scrubs when he gets into the hospital. I think some bigwig wants it that way with the mistaken idea that they should be "officers first and doctors second".

Around here I see scrubs in public all the time. I always see at least one person in scrubs at the grocery store. We live very near a big (nonmilitary) medical area, though. It's honestly never bothered me.

[Sheherezade]

So obviously Mrs. K, her dog and Dr. K in scrubs next to you at a restaurant is right out, huh?

[alison]

So obviously Mrs. K, her dog and Dr. K in scrubs next to you at a restaurant is right out, huh?

Well, I'd probably have to take a really hot bath that night.

[DCJenn]

Well, Jenn, as far as the Air Force is concerned he IS an Officer first and Doctor second. (husband and father are probably way down said commander's list, too)

I don't mind seeing scrubs in places like take-out restaurants or such but I think a sit down restaurant warrants a change in clothes. It's kind of skeevy.

Jenn