This is where I’ll be picking my way through all the dirty #DudScrubs laundry. Tighten those side-ties, because there’s a lot to get through!
For an explanation of what #DudScrubs is all about, read my more detailed post on it here.
Below I’ve started organising the various tweets into different categories to make them easier to find, and because different aspects may be of more interest or importance to different people. But I think it is the overall picture that makes the case for change so compelling, and that hospitals need to sit up, take notice, and start asking their staff what they can do to make their scrub provisioning system more fit-for-purpose.
Many tweets fall into multiple categories, so that’s why there is some duplication. Also, this list will continue to grow and evolve over time. Please let me know if anything is miscategorized, or if you have suggestions on for the blog posts or the campaign itself.
If you would like to contribute anonymously, you can email me at drgetafixthedruid@gmail.com, or send a Direct Message via Twitter to @DrGetafix @emergency_CNS, @GongGasGirl or @ketaminh. It will be de-identified and posted for you.
Table of Contents
#DudScrubs
Unavailable
Adds minutes I don’t have to my already busy day. Grrr.
— Dr. JakMich (@MichJak) February 20, 2019
Sometimes I’ve wasted SO long looking for some that fit when I’m with paeds for caesar and want to scream.
— Tam (@c3convertase) February 21, 2019
For more emergency ones I just give up and wear too short pants and baggy scrubs. Grrr.
I always kept one set in my locker. Prevented being late for report while hunting down clean ones in my size.
— Lisamowmow (@lisamowmow) February 20, 2019
Unsuitable
Unprofessional
Thin and revealing scrubs, which leave little to the imagination do not project a professional image to staff, patients and visitors
Sure...where to start....scrubs so thin you can tell the color of underwear your colleagues are wearing.....pockets so low on your pants that only a nonhuman primate could use them....and my favorite v-necks so low and gaping we must be trying to keep up with the Kardashians.
— A proud member of the looney left (@CherylMD91) February 24, 2019
Women’s scrub pants that have a cut out about 4 inches long on one side seam just to make sure everyone knows my underwear colour for the day.. the struggle is real everywhere!
— OHnS (@squatsnscalpels) February 24, 2019
Yes. The more petite among the staff get very creative with tape to avoid embarrassment.
— Who was that masked man? (@steveschwalbe) February 23, 2019
It continues to be a common thing when it is invisible. What manager goes near OT? What patients or visitors spend much time interacting with people in scrubs in OT. If scrubs in ED or ward fell down or displayed underwear all the time the complaints would be insane.
— Suz C (@Sleepy_Suz) February 23, 2019
People hoard scrubs so they don’t end up having to wear a set 3 sizes too large and have people stare down their cleavage
— annemarie mitchell (@Drdork74) February 20, 2019
Wearing scrub pants with a huge five inch slit at the side doesn’t make me (a young, female radiography student) thrilled to be rostered to OT even though intraoperative imaging has actually turned into one of my greatest interests #DudScrubs
— Ebony Layton (@ebonymlayton) March 1, 2019
#DudScrubs pic.twitter.com/spZpZMxkSv
— Janette Wright (@jcwright99) March 1, 2019
How are side tie scrubs even a thing? I have never seen them before and I am actually astonished that they exist. I am sorry for all of you who have to wear them.
— This NurseK (@ThisNurseK) March 1, 2019
Similarly with poorly fitting scrubs
Sometimes I’ve wasted SO long looking for some that fit when I’m with paeds for caesar and want to scream.
— Tam (@c3convertase) February 21, 2019
For more emergency ones I just give up and wear too short pants and baggy scrubs. Grrr.
Can I add that as I’m tall I need a larger size because only larger sizes are longer. I’m hoping it’s going to be longer and not just wider, but no I look like a clown most days. #ScrubClown
— Dr Mary-Ann Fox (@maffygirl) February 23, 2019
THIS. OMG. I’m 6’ tall. I am relatively pear shaped, small bust, long arms, thick thighs. Scrubs are a constant struggle. I’ve tried wearing men’s but, legs too small, no room in the hips and the tops are huge through the chest and tiny over the hips. No one makes a Tall top.
— Thursday's Child (@Swoopy) February 23, 2019
Elastic???? Elastic in scrubs? That would be heaven!
— Suz C (@Sleepy_Suz) February 23, 2019
Length is the issue for me, if I wear large all the way through to xxxxl the length is the same. If I wear bigger than L I look like I’ve crapped myself as I have no ass and legs like twigs. 6f 3i.
— Dr James Aspinall (@urethroplasty) February 23, 2019
I’m not sure staff getting around wearing paper uniforms is a great look either.
We have disposable scrub tops for when we run out of ‘proper’ scrubs - the hottest, sweatiest, least environmentally friendly pieces of crap you could ever imagine...
— Anna (@anniezk1) February 24, 2019
Visitors and families also have to put up with them. This negatively affects the publics perception of the hospital
I felt sorry for fathers who come into theatre to be in on the Caesarian. XL father ushered into a changing room with nothing but Mediums left.
— Don Mackie (@mackie_don) February 23, 2019
Walk into strange environment wearing awkward clothing.
Unfit for Purpose
The number, style and location of pockets are important considerations in terms of the functionality of scrubs
Sure...where to start....scrubs so thin you can tell the color of underwear your colleagues are wearing.....pockets so low on your pants that only a nonhuman primate could use them....and my favorite v-necks so low and gaping we must be trying to keep up with the Kardashians.
— A proud member of the looney left (@CherylMD91) February 24, 2019
A system for the provision of scrubs should be designed in a way that makes it easier for staff to do the right thing, not harder. It definitely should not make staff late for work!
Adds minutes I don’t have to my already busy day. Grrr.
— Dr. JakMich (@MichJak) February 20, 2019
I always kept one set in my locker. Prevented being late for report while hunting down clean ones in my size.
— Lisamowmow (@lisamowmow) February 20, 2019
And to be effective, it needs to designed with reference to the population it is serving. This includes staff, including pregnant staff, patients, family and visitors
I felt sorry for fathers who come into theatre to be in on the Caesarian. XL father ushered into a changing room with nothing but Mediums left.
— Don Mackie (@mackie_don) February 23, 2019
Walk into strange environment wearing awkward clothing.
Same with us. Everyone, male and female, gets scrubs from the same dispenser. Only two sizes available.
— Hey, Anesthesia (@steveschwalbe) February 23, 2019
Yeah, things that determine what size are dumb. Most pants too short for anyone > ~ 5’4”-5’6”.
— Suz C (@Sleepy_Suz) February 23, 2019
A bust > A cup = no small or medium top cause the tops (whilst designed with necklines to fit over enormous heads) are “designed” as if busts don’t exist.
Maybe a good start would be making sure there is always an adequate supply of scrubs in a full range of sizes so staff don’t need to suffer the humiliation of wearing ill-fitting ones
— James Griffiths (@jamesdgriffiths) February 20, 2019
People hoard scrubs so they don’t end up having to wear a set 3 sizes too large and have people stare down their cleavage
— annemarie mitchell (@Drdork74) February 20, 2019
Uncomfortable
We have disposable scrub tops for when we run out of ‘proper’ scrubs - the hottest, sweatiest, least environmentally friendly pieces of crap you could ever imagine...
— Anna (@anniezk1) February 24, 2019
How about the fact that a thin cotton layer of clothing (scrubs) is not warm enough for the set temperature of an operating theatre? We warm patients but staff freeze in scrubs. #dudscrubs #thermalscrubsplease
— Melissa judd (@Melissajudd13) March 1, 2019
Unsafe
Patients
Many of the workarounds staff use to maintain modesty have the potential to damage the scrubs, or interfere with their laundering. These in turn can reduce their effectiveness as a means of reducing surgical site infection.
There needs to be an easy way to divert torn scrubs to be mended.
— Suman Biswas ♬ (@amateursuman) February 24, 2019
Sometimes I pick up scrubs with holes so big they cannot be used.
Or someone’s well-meaning repair attempt has left them covered in sticky glue from tape, or worse, (rusted) staples!
Staff
Being a mandatory uniform, integral to our work, they should be managed like other WH&S issues, and ensure they are not jeopardising our health. Both physical
I hate scrubs . It’s why I work prehospital where uniform for specific work is required . An ill fitting uniform is OHS issue imo . Scrubs are like cheapest clothes management can provide , might as well wear karate gi
— Minh Le Cong (@ketaminh) February 23, 2019
How about the fact that a thin cotton layer of clothing (scrubs) is not warm enough for the set temperature of an operating theatre? We warm patients but staff freeze in scrubs. #dudscrubs #thermalscrubsplease
— Melissa judd (@Melissajudd13) March 1, 2019
#DudScrubs pic.twitter.com/spZpZMxkSv
— Janette Wright (@jcwright99) March 1, 2019
And mental
Maybe a good start would be making sure there is always an adequate supply of scrubs in a full range of sizes so staff don’t need to suffer the humiliation of wearing ill-fitting ones
— James Griffiths (@jamesdgriffiths) February 20, 2019
Hospital Responses
I think the RFID tag that seems to be contained within this recent addition to our scrubs, is the result of, or in anticipation of, a crackdown on tracking laundering of periop attire. @patientsafe pic.twitter.com/EGQXzp0T94
— Rhys Thomas (@DrGetafix) February 20, 2019
Bet they didn’t think about why people stockpile. Most people I know only do it where there aren’t enough of their size. Get the size supply right it would probably stop. It’s hard enough to get surgeons to take me seriously, looking down my top cause it is too big does not help.
— Suz C (@Sleepy_Suz) February 20, 2019
Not allowed to wear own scrubs. Unless you’re a nurse and it is December, then they can wear Christmas scrub tops.
— Suz C (@Sleepy_Suz) February 23, 2019
They only just permit cloth hats.
One place I worked had a really passive aggressive sign that read “please stop destroying our property. There are always sizes!” With a picture of some scrub bottoms ripped. I did feel like ripping that sign off sometimes.
— ❄️ Sofia H ❄️ (@ladygasdr) February 20, 2019
I’ve seen notifications at a few hospitals about stockpiling. Seems like it’s a common problem- one hospital will be trialling a scrub dispensing machine soon which as I’m only there 1x per month will be a logistical challenge!
— Kara Allen (@ergopropterdoc) February 20, 2019
Staff Responses
There needs to be an easy way to divert torn scrubs to be mended.
— Suman Biswas ♬ (@amateursuman) February 24, 2019
Sometimes I pick up scrubs with holes so big they cannot be used.
Or someone’s well-meaning repair attempt has left them covered in sticky glue from tape, or worse, (rusted) staples!
Yes, if you start disrespecting staff like that, the impact on culture will result in all sorts of behaviour that management won't like, and staff will go to great lengths to hide it. Far from ideal for all involved, including patients.
— Rhys Thomas (@DrGetafix) February 20, 2019
#ToitScrubs
I love my scrubs for ED work too.. But mine were purchased, my actual size, and they fit perfectly.
— K (@emergency_CNS) February 23, 2019
of course different. but they're also stock standard sizing.. i didn't have them altered.. all i'm saying is, scrubs that fit exist.
— K (@emergency_CNS) February 23, 2019
I’ve never had a problem getting scrubs. I do hoard pink paper hats though. I like the fit.
— Dr Mary-Ann Fox (@maffygirl) February 20, 2019
Suggestions for Improvement
There needs to be an easy way to divert torn scrubs to be mended.
— Suman Biswas ♬ (@amateursuman) February 24, 2019
Sometimes I pick up scrubs with holes so big they cannot be used.
Or someone’s well-meaning repair attempt has left them covered in sticky glue from tape, or worse, (rusted) staples!
Elastic???? Elastic in scrubs? That would be heaven!
— Suz C (@Sleepy_Suz) February 23, 2019
B
— Matthew Loxton (@mloxton) February 20, 2019
Plus
C: Instruct QM to find root causes and then consult with staff to find best solutions.
Hoarding behavior is a strong unbiased predictor of process unreliability
C: Get the hospital to stock sufficient scrubs of sufficient sizes so that staff are not stuck without. When we had acute shortages, I took to coming into theatre wearing my street clothes under a gown. Matron freaked, management intervened, and then there were lots of scrubs.
— UCT Anaesthesia (@UCTAnaesthesia) February 20, 2019
Or ground the lockers thus creating a Faraday cage environment.
— Rob Greig (@drrobgreig) February 20, 2019
