If you’re a medical professional, you probably spend a lot of your time wearing scrubs. They’re an essential piece of medical personal protective equipment that help keep you safe during your workday. How long will they last, though? Depending on your line of work, those scrubs may sustain a great deal of wear and tear over the months. Here’s how to know when to replace reusable scrubs; take a look at your wardrobe and decide what needs to go.
Fabric Quality
Depending on where you purchased your scrubs, the fabric may vary in quality. Thin fabric and loose stitching are a recipe for premature wear and tear; if you tear any part of your scrubs, replace them right away. American Screening Corp’s selection of medical personal protective equipment, including scrubs, offers superior quality and a lower rate of replacement. Keep a spare pair of scrubs on hand anyway; it’s a good best practice.
Type of Job
Are you a dental hygienist or a surgical nurse? Some fields carry more contamination hazards than others. And of course, every time your scrubs are contaminated, you have to take them off and wash and disinfect them. Depending on how often that happens, your scrubs may wear out more quickly. If you work directly with patients, be vigilant about replacing scrubs that are falling apart at the seams.
Frequency of Usage
If you’ve only got a few pairs of scrubs, you rotate through them more quickly and end up wearing each pair a lot, especially if you work overtime. And again, the more often you wash your scrubs (after every shift!), the more worn-out they get. Low-quality scrubs start to fall apart after a few short months, but scrubs made with sturdy material and strong stitching can last a couple of years.
As a medical professional, part of your duty is to ensure your own safety for the sake of others’ well-being. Proper PPE is crucial to your safety, so pay attention to it and replace it as necessary. When you know when to replace reusable scrubs, you can remain vigilant every time you do your laundry.
