Imedecin Nursing Uniforms Scrubs

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Surgical Scrubs vs. Medical Scrubs – Are They Different?

Although both terms, surgical scrubs and medical scrubs, may be used simultaneously to describe the same type of uniform worn by healthcare practitioners there is a difference. I have spent the past three decades wearing surgical scrubs as a surgical assistant as well as observing other healthcare personnel wearing medical scrubs. I now provide both surgical scrubs and medical scrubs as a retailer and began to notice the differences. The differences are primarily in terms of functionality, design and style. I will attempt to describe these differences.

First, in terms of functionality, the surgical scrub is designed for wear in the operating room or other surgical facility. In the surgical facility the patient remains stationary and the care givers must adapt in order to provide care. While providing care for these patients the care givers must have unrestricted movements. This requires bending, twisting, stretching, and contorting the body to reach the appropriate areas of the patient to provide care. Other duties require moving equipment running power cords that require pushing, pulling and even kneeling.  These people are always on the move and rarely stationary.  Because of these movements is it necessary to wear loose fitting and unrestrictive clothing.  In contrast care givers that wear medical scrubs are usually providing care to patients that can move to accommodate the care giver's needs or they are sitting at a desk doing administrative duties.  These people are not required to move their bodies as extreme as the surgical care givers. Therefore they are able to wear more restrictive clothing such as medical scrubs.

The design of surgical scrubs and medical scrubs are drastically different. Both are designed to accommodate the functionality of the uniform. Surgical Scrubs tops are usually a square cut top with a loose fitting v-neck design with simple patch pockets. The bottoms are straight leg. The waist is either a drawstring, elastic or a combination of both. The Drawstring is by far the most common.  The pants usually have a single patch pocket. In contrast, medical scrubs are available in many designs. Most are designed with flares and curves to contour to the body. Tops are available in several neck line designs including rounded and wrap around.  Pockets are usually flashy designs and shapes. Medical scrubs pants are designed with flare legs and curvature in the hip area. The pants always come with an elastic waist bands and are designed to be worn either high on the waist or low on the hips. Medical scrubs design limits the freedom of movement without confinements of the uniform.

The differences in styles between surgical scrubs and medical are the most drastic. Putting it simple surgical scrubs have no style. They are always a unisex style so they can be worn by both female and male care givers. Surgical scrubs are also always a solid color. The non-style of the surgical scrub enables the surgical care giver to perform at an optimal level without any restrictions from the uniforms. As far as medical scrubs the style is unlimited and vast. They are available in many colors, prints and styles. Medical scrubs are styled for the female and male separately. These styles are designed to fit the body as most other street clothes will and has appealing look. Medical scrubs styles compromises functionality for fashion appeal. The difference can be related to a sweatshirt and sweatpants (surgical scrubs) and a business suit (medical scrubs).

Surgical scrubs and medical scrubs are terms we use interchangeable in everyday life. There are also many other terms that describe these uniforms such as hospital scrubs, doctor scrubs, and nursing scrubs to name a few.  Regardless of the term used the important aspect of buying and wearing scrubs is to select the correct functionality, design and style that meet the needs of the care giver's duties. This is indeed much more important than the term.

Jeffrey Ware

JBW Enterprise

www.MedicalScrubsRus.com

About the Author

I am a certified surgical assistant with over 30 years experience where I gained a vast knowledge of surgical procedures and patient care. During this time I have also contributed to several textbooks for major publishers as well as writing articles that are published on internet publication web sites. I also have built and maintain two websites which I wrote all the text found there. They are www.thelaserveincenter.com and www.medicalscrubsrus.com . Other endeavors I have delved in are education where I was an instructor, curriculum writer, and program developer and consulting with surgical assisting program accreditation. Technical writing, research, and education have always been my passion 2nd to my clinical practice.

Urbane U-pocket contrast piped scrub pants. $21.99 Urbane U-pocket contrast piped scrub pants. Contrast trim flat front with solid elastic back. Modern waist sits just below the natural waistline. Relaxed, fuller cut straight leg design. Side entry pockets with contrast trim and tab detail. 31inch inseam. 65Landau Care Instructions

Koi contrast trim scrub top. $22.99 This solid scrub top from Koi Scrubs has a sporty crossover styling with unique embroideries and stripe trim on the crossover neckline. 2 side slash pockets. Sizes XS-3X. Center back length: 24 3/4inch. 55% cotton/45% poly.

Barco contrast mock-wrap scrub top. $23.98 Slightly fitted mock-wrap scrub top with layered scalloped sleeves from Barco Metroscrubs. Features Caduceus embroidery on the left chest, back contrast drawstring, 2 side pockets, and move-friendly side slits. Contrast piping highlights neckline and wrap detail. Pairs perfectly with matching Metroscrubs scrub pants. Polyester/Cotton.

Peaches contrast trim scrub top. $21.99 Peaches contrast trim top. Mock-wrap styling with 2 side pockets. Side slit.

IguanaMed contrast trim wrap scrub top. $23.99 The IguanaMed Fit - Perfected for nurses by nurses of all body types. IguanaMed scrub styles help accentuate the body and contour without being tight. Med Flex II revolutionary fabric is poly-cotton with stretch for a sporty sophisticated look. Pullover top with contrast trim and 2 side pockets. Performance apparel for the medical professional.

Urbane contrast drawstring waist scrub pants. $27.99 New from the Urbane Memory Flex Stretch collection! Classic waist scrub pants with drawstring front, elastic back, and all around contrast trim. Flare-leg. Side pockets. 31inch Inseam. 63.5% polyester/ 33.5% cotton/ 3% spandex brushed stretch poplin with soil release. Landau Care Instructions

Landau contrast trim scrub top. $19.99 Contrast trim at the shoulders and dolman sleeves and across the chest patch pocket adds a designer touch to this men's scrubs top. Reinforced v-neck and back yoke, back shirttail hem. Sizes S-3X. 65% polyester/35% cotton. See why Landau is Made Better - Better Fabric: Landau Care Instructions

Cherokee Workwear contrast trim scrub top. $17.99 Scrubs & Beyond is your Workwear Headquarters! Find great value, the latest colors, and the Cherokee Workwear Uniform Scrubs quality you depend on. A must-have addition to your Cherokee Workwear wardrobe. This scrub top has contrast trim along the v-neck & mock-wrap, plus longer back hem, 2 side angled pockets and move-friendly side slits. Cherokee Workwear logo on left sleeve. 23 1/2inch Length. Polyester/Cotton. Sizes XS-5X.

Urbane contrast inset square neck scrub top. $23.99 Square neck styling with athletic influence, princess seams for fit, and front pockets. Contrast side insets with contrast piping. 26inch Length. Poly cotton stretch poplin fabric. Sizes XS-2X.Landau Care Instructions

Urbane contrast trim scoop neck scrub top. $21.99 Elegantly styled new nurses scrubs from Urbane! Features include contrast color criss-cross design detail at waist, solid contrast trim at scoop neckline, and front pockets. 26inch Length. 65% polyester/ 35% Cotton. Landau Care Instructions

Urbane contrast trim v-neck scrub top. $27.99 Fashion doesn't get any faster than this athletic stretch nurses scrubs top. Contrast set-in collar detail extends as a mock raglan styling. Princess seaming flatters your shape. Double pockets and one instrument division. Back features detailed cut-contrast seaming. 64% polyester/33% cotton/3% spandex. Length 25 7/8.inch XS-2X.Landau Care Instructions

Skechers contrast trim mock-wrap scrub top. $19.98 Skechers medical scrubs - your most comfortable fit ever! Mock-wrap styling with faux side tie, contrast trim along the neckline and sleeves. Front pockets. Side vents. Center back length: 25 1/4inch. Incredibly soft brushed cotton/poly twill.

Urbane sport stretch contrast trim scrub top. $25.99 Sporty new stying from the Urbane 's Memory Flex Stretch collection! Unique, curved, piped contrast trim accents the neckline and front pockets on this tunic style scrubs uniform top. 26inch Length. 63.5% poly/33.5% cotton/3% spandex brushed stretch poplin with soil release. Sizes XS-2X.Landau Care Instructions

Carhartt mens contrast v-neck scrub top. $23.99 Built Carhartt strong for men's scrubs that last! This scrubs top features contrast sleeves and shoulder trim with bi-swing back for ease of movement, a tag-less neck label, and a drop tail that's two inches longer than the front. The left-chest tradesmen pocket includes a pen stall to hold your pens securely in place. 30inch length. 55% cotton/45% polyester.

Scrub Works Scratchy Daisy print scrub top. $18.99 Look great - save more with Scrub Works value priced print scrub tops! The Scratchy Daisy print features a easy fit v-neck with contrast print trim at sleeves and waist tabs. 26inch length. 100% cotton. Sizes XS-3X.

Contrast $7.99 Contrast

Landau student contrast trim scrub top. $23.99 Tailored fit with hidden button front closure and patch pockets. Colored piping insets into collar and sleeve hem. 65% poly/ 35% cotton. See why Landau is Made Better - Better Fabric: Landau Care Instructions

Urbane contrast trim v-neck empire waist scrub top. $24.99 Get the waist you always wanted with this ultra-flattering Urbane scrubs top. Contrast V-neck with shaped, contrast-banded empire waistline and six pockets with two pen divisions. 65% polyester/35% cotton. Harbor Blue in 60% cotton/40% polyester. Length 26 7/8inch XS-2XL Landau Care Instructions

Barco drawstring scrub pant. $19.98 Scrubs & Beyond exclusive Metroscrubs colors! Pink and navy are terrific together in this comfortable scrub pant from Barco Metroscrubs. Featuring contrast drawstring and leg-lengthening piping. Traditional waist with easy elastic back waistband, and a back pocket. 30 1/2inch inseam, 29inch petite. Polyester/Cotton.

Barco 2-pocket scrub top. $19.98 Scrubs & Beyond exclusive Metroscrubs colors! Contrast piping accents the flattering v-neck, and functional slit pockets on this scrub top from Barco Metroscrubs. Embroidered Caduceus on the left chest, and contrast ties on the figure-slimming adjustable back drawstring. Move-friendly side slits and bust darts make this top perfect for medical professionals. Polyester/Cotton.