Scrubs, A Short History of the Surgical Medical Uniforms

The History of Scrubs

Surgeons, nurses, medical assistants, and technicians haven’t always worn scrubs – or any other type of uniform, for that matter.

In the 1800s, surgeons wore street clothing during operations, with an apron similar to that worn by butchers. The apron only partially protected the doctor from bodily fluids and blood, and back in those days, surgeons operated bare-handed.

In the early 1900s, medical staff began to wash their hands with an antiseptic chloride solution before operating on or examining patients, but it wasn’t until the Spanish flu pandemic hit in 1918 that surgeons began to wear gauze masks. The masks, at the time, were meant to protect the surgeon from the patients’ disease or germs, not vice versa. Around this same period, rubber gloves were introduced to surgical practice, as a means of protecting hands from cleansing solutions.

The term “scrubbing in before gloving” would later make way for the term “scrubs” to reference the clothing worn during medical practice.

In the 1940s, antiseptic drapes and gowns were adopted as the understanding of wound infections advanced. Most of these were fabricated in white – to convey cleanliness – but the reflection of the white color in operating rooms caused eye strain. In addition, the white color highlighted bodily fluids and blood, which tended to alarm patients and their families.

By the 1950s, the white color in scrubs and operating room fabrics had given way to various shades of green, because the green color produced less eye fatigue.

“Surgical greens” became known as “scrubs” by the 1970s, a catch-phrase that could include short-sleeve v-necked scrub tops, draw-string scrub pants, and mid-length scrub dresses, as well as latex gloves, surgical gowns, paper/gauze masks, and surgical bouffant style scrub caps or hats.

In recent years, the designs and styles of scrubs have grown to include very fashionable choices, and at MedCap, we’re pleased to contribute to the progression in scrubs. For example, our patented medical scrub hat, designed and developed in Colorado, allows for heat to escape at the top, is easy to wear, and conforms to any shape.

What will the next few hundred years bring in the design of scrubs? No one can be certain, but at MedCap, we’ll certainly do our best to continue to create and innovate with scrub hats, scrub caps, scrub tops, and scrub pants.

For more information please call (720) 344-3096, or e-mail medcap@medcapstore.com.