Newsletter

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Antimicrobial scrubs: What’s the story?

Nurses, clinicians, doctors and other healthcare workers know all about germ transmission, and the steps to avoid it. They can’t help but be aware — they are surrounded by reminders to wash their hands with antimicrobial soaps and sanitizers dozens of times throughout the day as they come into contact with patients.

So, wouldn’t it be great if the scrubs and lab coats they wear pitched in and helped cut down on the spread of germs? It sure would, and that’s why when antimicrobial scrubs came on the scene a few years ago everyone got pretty excited.

The idea is fairly simple: Embed the cloth with various chemicals and/or substances (everything from proprietary chemical agents to silver and copper is used, and most every brand has its proprietary formula), and that agent will act as a barrier for germ transmission.

But — do they work? And are they worth it? If your area of the hospital is more prone to a MRSA outbreak, for example, would antimicrobial scrubs be a sound investment? Let’s look at what these scrubs are, what they’re supposed to do, and come to a conclusion or two:

There appears to be evidence that scrubs can carry bacteria, and some antimicrobial models were released in 2012 (and others may have been available before) to answer the problem. In 2014, The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses released a report saying that antimicrobial scrubs might “prevent bacteria and fungi from adhering to the fabric” and thus help protection patients.

The science about how these scrubs work is as varied as the companies producing them. There are different antimicrobial agents being embedded into the scrub material fiber by each manufacturer in order to differentiate their product, with some going after bacterial organisms and others targeting bacterial protein. Some are also fluid repellant, which is touted to add another layer of protection by keeping bacteria-laden material from soaking into scrubs in the first place, with the antibacterial agent acting as a second defense.

The jury is still out on whether or not they work effectively. Manufacturers can (and do) tout studies that show how these scrubs can prevent, or limit the spread, of MRSA, but the Antimicrobial Scrub and Transmission (ASCOT) study, a Duke University clinical trial that, among other things, evaluated whether antimicrobial-impregnated scrubs could help reduce bacterial contamination vs. regular cotton-poly scrubs, didn’t show a significant decrease in clothing contamination.


There are also other points to consider, such as price, because antimicrobials can be more expensive. Also, what’s your level of exposure? Anyone working in a hospital or clinical environment is going to come up against bacteria — that’s part of the job. But if you’re not around patients that much, or in a low-exposure area (primary care practice vs. ICU or ED), then you may not want to add in the extra layer of protection. In the end it’s up to you, but erring on the side of caution, especially when it comes to keeping patients, and yourself, safe from bacteria and infection, is never a bad idea.

Check out available Antimicrobial Scrubs here on our website! Happy Shopping! 

Monday, June 12, 2017

Celebrate Men’s Health Week & Month Throughout June

Make it all about the fellas during June, when Men’s Health Month takes center stage — an especially June 12-18, when Men’s Health Week takes over the calendar.

The purpose of the week and month are simple, and laudable: heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Men aren't always the best about taking care of themselves. Sure, plenty are good about diet and exercise, but when was the last time your dad, husband, brother, son (you get the idea) went in for an annual physical? If the answer is “I have no clue,” then do a little nudging to get that doc visit on the calendar right away.

A regular doctor’s visit, even if there’s nothing wrong, is a great way for men (and women) to make sure they’re staying on top of screenings. For men, especially those over 50, that’s the time to make sure that testosterone and Prostate Specific Antigen, or PSA, levels are checked through bloodwork (the best way to get early signs of prostate cancer or other trouble), schedule a colonoscopy if one’s needed and even keep tabs of little, but important things, like tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough boosters.

Still on the fence? Use this handy checklist to see where you’re all caught up, and what might need some attention.

Since it began in 1994, Men’s Health Month has been out there trying to get men to take care of their physical and mental health through screenings, health fairs and other education/outreach activities. A big part of Men’s Health Week is Wear Blue Friday, which takes place this year on June 16, the Friday before Father’s Day. Break out those blue scrubs!


Men (and women) often put the health of others before their own, or as we mentioned earlier think they’re doing great because they’re crushing it at the gym and eat clean. But cancer and other killers strike the young and healthy, so it’s important to get that annual physical take care of, and pay attention to little signs that the body may be sending out. Good health is as much about prevention as it is about diet, exercise and work/life balance. Do your part, and it’ll all come together!

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Nurses Week reminds us all to salute our favorite caregivers

Once again, we find ourselves at May 6, Florence Nightingale’s birthday and the kickoff for Nurses Week 2017!

The American Nurses Association has, as usual, lots going on including a free webinar, “A Nurse’s Guide to Preventing Compassion Fatigue, Moral Distress, and Burnout,” which is a great way for those who spend so much time and energy providing great care to learn about stepping back and making sure their own needs are met as well.

This year’s theme is the “Year of the Healthy Nurse,” so in addition to the webinar, nurses (and those who love them) are encouraged to explore all the ways to maintain the proper balance with body, mind and spirit.

First up, it’s good to be aware of all the things that can cause nurse burnout. Even the most devoted caregiver can, if not careful, get run down quickly. You know what they say, nurses are the worst patients! Here’s a few tips to avoid getting worn thin:

Take breaks. No one, nurse or otherwise, can run full steam for 8+ hours. Meals are essential — and sit down for them, don’t grab something and gobble it while running from one task to the next. And take 5 minutes every so often to just relax; maybe even do some short breathing or relaxation exercises.

You can’t do it all. No matter how great the intention, no one person can heal a hospital full of sick people, make all the family and visitors happy, or make HCAHPS scores magically rise. A positive attitude and a willingness to work hard will see you through the day, but know that you’re only one person. Rely on the team!

Decompress. And speaking of the team … make sure to talk to people. Whether it’s a supervisor, coworker, spouse, therapist or friend, have someone (or a group of someone’s) available as a friendly, nonjudgmental sounding board. Sometimes your best answers to ongoing problems come when you speak the issue out loud, and get some input.


Being a nurse is more challenging than ever before — but also more exciting! From nursing informatics to assisting with in-hospital clinical trials, as well as the growing number of CNO and supervisory positions throughout healthcare, there are more ways than ever to find success in the field of nursing. Just make sure that you’re taking care of yourself as much as you would any patient in your charge, and from all of us at Scrubin Uniforms, have a wonderful Nurses Week!

Monday, April 10, 2017

Unsung healthcare heroes shine during Occupational Therapy Month

If you’ve ever experienced occupational therapy as part of recovery from an injury or surgery, you know what lifesavers these people are! If not — trust us. These men and women are kind, creative and endlessly supportive to people who are trying to get back to their most active life possible, and they can work wonders.

We’re happy to honor and celebrate them during Occupational Therapy Month, brought to us by the American Occupational Therapy Association. Occupational therapy helps people of all ages do the things they want and need to do, and help them heal from, live better with or even prevent injury, illness or disability.

Did you know that occupational therapists also work with children with disabilities so they can more fully participate in school and social situations? Or with older adults who are experiencing not just physical issues, but cognitive and awareness changes?

According to the AOTA, that includes:

  •       an individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person’s goals 
  •       customized intervention to improve the person’s ability to perform daily activities and reach the goals
  •        an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan


A lot, right? They do all that and more, thanks to a holistic perspective that considers the person’s environment, and then adapts it to fit where that individual is. Science meets with intuition and compassion, allowing therapists not just to assist, but to also work closely with their patients so that it’s a real team effort.


This year’s theme for Occupational Therapy Month is “Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest™” and here are some ideas to celebrate if you’re a therapist, work with them or just want to give back for the care and support you may have received from the members of this profession, seek them out to say hello, and make sure that anyone you know who needs assistance is aware of all that an occupational therapist can do to make life fuller and more enjoyable.

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Use Autism Awareness Month as a platform for learning and understanding

Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a tough condition to understand. Those with it usually begin to show symptoms as children, when they begin to show difficulty communicating and interacting with others. There is no known single cause for ASD.

The word “spectrum” on ASD means that there are many different degrees of autism, and how it affects someone who has it. According to the Autism Society, some behaviors associated with autism include:

  •      delayed learning of language;
  •       difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation;
  •       difficulty with executive functioning, which relates to reasoning and planning;
  •       narrow, intense interests;
  •       poor motor skills; and
  •       sensory sensitivities.


Someone on the spectrum might exhibit all of these behaviors, or just a few of them, coupled with others not listed here. And any or all the behaviors can and often are more or less severe with each individual on the spectrum.

There is much to learn about ASD, but one thing for sure is that increased awareness is crucial. That’s because early diagnosis and intervention can help someone with ASD in many ways. For starters, early diagnosis means quicker access to services and support — and improved outcomes.

The United Nations created World Autism Awareness Day, every April 2, to raise awareness about this disorder, which affects one in every 68 children. But one day isn’t nearly enough time to spend on ASD awareness, and so the Autism Society promotes the entire month of April as National Autism Awareness Month.

Do you know someone with ASD, or with a friend or family member on the spectrum? Find out how you can help bring awareness and support research in your community. Scientists are hard at work of finding the cause of autism, but also laboring away on the development of therapies and treatments that make living on the spectrum easier.

Autism may be hard to understand, but kindness, caring and compassion come easy to those of us in healthcare. Let’s see what we can do to help unlock this puzzle!

Monday, March 6, 2017

Doctors and dentists and recognition — Oh, my!

On March 6, we celebrate National Dentists’ Day, and March 30 brings us National Doctors’ Day, so it’s time for salutes and white lab coats all around.

In all seriousness, those of us in the healthcare business know just how key doctors and dentists are to our society’s health and well-being. First, we’ll look at the docs, and pick up a few pointers about regular checkups:

It keeps you accountable. If you’ve gained weight, for example, your doctor will talk to you about possible medical concerns.

As we age, our bodies change. What didn’t hurt at 40 may be a pain at 50. Everything from sore knees to insomnia is fair game at the annual physical.

Lab work. The doctor’s office is still the best and most efficient place to get a cholesterol check, as well as lots of other tests.

Flu shots and boosters. A checkup is a good time to make sure tetanus and other shots are up to date. If you’ve gotten a flu shot at work or elsewhere, let your doctor know so records can be updated.

We don’t know what we don’t know. You might feel fine, but your doctor may see or hear something that needs further study. A calcium score, for example, is a quick and painless chest scan that can show serious heart problems — which can then be dealt with before they become worse.

Just like the medical doctor, the dentist is there to help keep us healthy. And just like the doctor, the dentist can see problems coming early on, and head them off — if we are diligent about going twice a year for cleaning, and taking care to exercise good dental hygiene in the interim.

And thanks to the American Dental Association, a few reasons, tips and tricks about when we should hustle on into the dentist’s office:

  •       Teeth that are sensitive to hot and/or cold
  •        Puffy, bleeding gums
  •       Maintenance of fillings, crowns, dental implants and dentures
  •       Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
  •       Family history of gum disease or tooth decay
  •        Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  •        A medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease or an eating disorder
  •       Dry mouth
  •        Smoking or use of tobacco products



Alert from the broken-record department: Good health is a team effort, so don't’ go it alone. If you don't’ have a doctor, click here to find a provider near you. No dentist? Solve that right here. Build up your team’s bench with the players who will back you and make sure your health is as good as it can possibly be — and thank them on their special days!