Melissa is an employee here at Lydia’s Uniforms and the other day I spotted her wearing this zip front hoodie from Katherine Heigl’s LA Collection. Come to find out, Melissa doesn’t own just this Katherine Heigl top, but three more tops as well! Here’s her explanation:

“I recently became semi-obsessed with the Katherine Heigl line because they are very well made and long-lasting while still being very comfortable.  I wear plus sizes so I was concerned that it would not be a flattering line, Katherine Heigl isn’t exactly a plus sizes woman:), but I was wrong!  I get so many compliments whenever I wear it, inside and outside of work.  Other employees recognize the Katherine Heigl items I wear right away and comment on how good it looks in person.  I have since seen a few other employees purchase some as well.  We just have to be careful not to wear them on the same day!” - Melissa, Web Customer Support Supervisor

I guess Melissa is proof that some of these pieces are so stylish that they can be worn outside of the hospital or clinic. Do any of you own clothes from Lydia’s Uniforms that you wear as part of your regular wardrobe and not as part of your medical uniform? If so, what are they?

Happy Friday everyone. Below is the weekly roundup of the news and I want to take a minute to point out a couple of links that are especially noteworthy.

The article Health Watch: Color Scrubs to Fight Infection (the first article under Health News) is a story about a hospital that is testing a new method to fight infections in the O.R. The hospital is only allowing certain medical clothing uniforms in the O.R. in an attempt to control germs that are brought in on hospital scrubs. I found this article really interesting. I’ve always wondered about the standards and regulations regarding scrubs being worn outside of the hospital before or after shifts. It seems that many employees and patients have concerns about germs being transferred in and out of hospitals on medical clothing uniforms, but that many workplaces are not recognizing this worry.  Is it common practice for workplaces to enforce rules about where you wear your scrubs or are most employees free to use their own discretion? Tell me about the policy at your workplace and what you think about it.

I also want to point out the Change of Shift link in the Blogs section. Change of Shift is a compilation of blog posts about nursing. Anyone is free to submit their post, whether you’re a nurse, patient or student. So if you’re interested in submitting something or just reading what others have to say, check it out!

Healthcare Professionals in the News:

• Hospital, Physician Groups File Lawsuit To Block Enforcement Of California Rules That Ban Balance Billing
• Medicaid/Physicians Brace for Medicaid Payment Cuts in 2009 Amid Weak Economy
• Pa. nurses gain victory in long drive to ban forced O.T.
• California takes steps to probe nurses’ criminal backgrounds
• First Paramedic Course To Use Second Life
• Physician Uses Harp to Soothe, Heal Patients
• ‘Prescribed’ Reading For Physicians

Health News:

• HealthWatch: Color Scrubs To Fight Infection
• E.P.A. Toughens Standard on Lead Emissions; Change Is the First in 3 Decades
• Keeping the beat for CPR? Hum ‘Stayin’ Alive’
• Medical helicopters crashing at alarming rates, federal officials say
• Infant Deaths Drop in U.S., but Rate Is Still High
• Death rate 70 percent lower at top hospitals
• Your ‘pure’ bottled water has contaminants too
• States: Ban bisphenol A in baby products
• Parkinson's Patients More Prone to Vitamin D Deficiency
• Pediatricians group doubles recommended vitamin D dose for children
• Keeping Your Own Health Chart, Online

Blogs:

• Change of Shift
• Physician Assistants Establish Online Presence
• Slowing Economy Boosts Travel Nursing: Part Deux
• Bulletproof Your Nursing Career

 

In recognition of National Dental Hygiene Month I would like to shine the spotlight on one of our valued customers, Judy. Judy is a Registered Dental Hygienist Alternative Practice; she provides services to patients in long-term care facilities. I interviewed Judy about her career and found out that it’s a tough, but rewarding job. Here’s what she had to say:

What factors influenced your decision to become a Registered Dental Hygienist Alternative Practice? 
I have been a dental hygienist for over 26 years and the last 2 years practicing as an RDHAP. This has allowed me freedom to practice preventive hygiene care to patients who have little or no access to dental care, to serve the underserved.

What type of schooling is required to become a Registered Dental Hygienist?
A dental hygiene education is a minimum of 2 years, but it can be a long as 4 years. A 2 year program offers a diploma, certificate, or associate degree.  A four year program offers a baccalaureate degree. There are some schools that offer Master's degrees for those interested in education, research, or administration.  An accredited dental hygiene program requires an average of 1,948 clock hours of curriculum. This includes 585 clock hours of supervised clinical dental hygiene instruction.  For a list of all dental hygiene programs in the country you can utilize the American Dental Hygienists' Association website.

As an RDHAP working with patients in long term care, what does your job consist of? 
Every day is varied. I try to stay flexible with the resident patients, the nursing staff, and all the adjunct support staff. I usually have a list of residents to see, but sometimes it is not a good time to visit...sometimes they are in the beauty shop having their hair done, or they are in the shower room, or physical therapy, or in activities. Heaven forbid we disrupt a hot game of Bingo!  Each patient that is seen, their facility chart is checked for their current medical and drug status. I then will see the resident in their room, in their bed, wheelchair, or reclining chair. Complete an intra and extra oral assessment. Chart missing, decayed, broken teeth. Complete a periodontal assessment; perform preventive hygiene services as necessary such as scaling, root planing, and applying fluoride. I try to adapt toothbrushes, and other intra-oral aids for ease of use of the resident or for the staff or family members that may be assisting the resident in their oral care. Then the charts are completed and equipment is packed and moved to the next room. At the end of the day a Resident Oral Health Needs Assessment form is filled out for the residents that are seen on that day. This form addresses the acute needs, suspicious oral lesions, denture concerns that will need the attention of the facility's dentist.

Some days I do an inservice for the nursing staff or an informational evening with resident's family members. I am a speaker that promotes and provides education on prevention of oral health diseases and total health to the public, special needs and senior caregivers, other professionals, and government agencies.

What are the things you love about your job and what makes your job difficult?
I love the people! Everyone has a story to tell. Most all my patients are thankful for the services I provide, and it is rewarding to see the improvement in my patient's oral health and the improved self esteem they have.

What makes my job difficult is the long hours. Takes about an hour to pack my supplies for the day and load my car. It is a set-up time of approximately 15 minutes before seeing a resident, and a tear-down time of about 20 minutes before I can move on to another resident's room. Upon the return to my home-office it is time to unpack, clean, sterilize instruments and equipment and pack up my mobile cart again. Then there is the paperwork and billing insurance and Denti-Cal. Each resident seen takes about one hour of clinical time and the same in preparation and completion of paperwork and equipment maintenance. 

Is there a dress code at your place of employment? If so, what is it? If not what do you wear on an average day? Do you have a favorite medical uniform? 
No dress code, when seeing residents I wear single color scrubs, with a white lab coat with my name embroidered on it. I love Landau Scrubs especially the pull-on pants. I think I have all the colors!  When meeting with the public or giving an inservice I usually wear nice street clothes with my lab coat.

Will you be doing anything specific to participate in National Dental Hygiene Month 2008?
Yes, on October 30th my local dental hygiene society along with dental hygiene students will be having a "Sugarless Shack" at a market night. We will have stuffed "goody bags" with sugarless treats, toothpaste and toothbrushes and floss. The dental hygiene students will be demonstrating tooth brushing techniques, and some tooth fairies in costumes appear! It's a fun time for adults and children alike!

If you’ve noticed more pink than usual on the Lydia’s Uniforms’ homepage lately, it’s because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a month devoted to increasing awareness, sharing information and providing access to screening services. One way to show your support and recognition this month is by adding a little pink to your day. This tradition started in 1992 when Evelyn Lauder and Alexandra Penney launched the pink ribbon campaign. The idea took off and has evolved from pink ribbons to pink clothing and more. Even buildings are going pink in order to raise awareness. Pink lights shine on building and monuments (including the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sydney Opera House and Saks Fifth Avenue in Time Square) in more than 40 countries each year in an effort to raise awareness.

One popular program that’s all about wearing pink is Passionately Pink for the Cure. Businesses or organizations can pick a day for everyone to wear pink and donate to the cause. You can visit this website to learn more about it.

So even if pink isn’t your color, add a little bit of it to your wardrobe this month to show your support. And if you want to go all out, participate in Passionately Pink for the Cure. Get your friends together and wear all pink for a weekend outing or get your co-workers to take part and wear pink scrubs for a day. Even small accessories like pink ribbons can make a statement. So go ahead; put on your pink!

And if you do want to bring your pink to work with you, here are a few ideas for pink medical uniforms:


Left to right: L.A. Rose Kimono Top in Hot Pink, Cherokee Authentic
Workwear Unisex Top in Pink Blush, Landau Snap Front V-neck Top
in Cherry Blossom
             

If you’re wearing pink or doing anything else to take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month send me your stories and/or pictures and I’ll share them on the blog. I want to see how you’re making a difference this month

The colors of fall are here. I spent a few hours in my car driving yesterday and I saw one tree after another with yellows, oranges, browns and reds emerging from the branches; I realized that autumn is upon us. The rich colors of fall are perfect on the trees, but also perfect for apparel. All the clothing web sites I frequently visit are featuring these deep colors on their home pages and I think they have the right idea.

On September 16th I posted a blog about Halloween print scrubs. In that post I mentioned that a great alternative to print apparel scrubs are medical uniforms in fall colors. I didn’t give you any examples of what Lydia’s offers in those colors, so today I’m going to do that. Here are my picks for stylish scrubs in this season’s best colors.

                   
                         
Scrub tops from left to right: Dickies Contrast Mock Wrap Top in Mandarin, Katherine Heigl Woodstock Drawstring Mock Wrap Top in Cafe, Barco Grey’s Anatomy Scrubs Junior Fit V-Neck Top in Merlot

Scrub pants from left to right: Dickies Everyday Ladies’ Flare Leg Pants in Mandarin, Katherine Heigl Woodstock Low Rise Flare Leg Pants in Cafe, Barco Grey’s Anatomy Scrubs Junior Fit Pants in Merlot

What fall colors do you like to incorporate into your wardrobe for work?

Every year I get extremely excited about autumn. My favorite part of the season is Halloween because I love to dress up, although apple cider, horror movies and an excuse to eat candy also add to the appeal. Unfortunately, year after year, my costumes are disappointing. October 31st is preceded by a month of planning and plotting my costume. Then, unexpectedly, October 30th comes around and I realize I haven’t actually put together a costume! I would like to think that this year will be different, that maybe I’ll decide on a costume and have it ready and waiting in my closet by October 29th, but it’s doubtful. It’ll probably be like every other year, a last minute compilation of pieces from thrift stores thrown together at the last minute.

So hopefully this post will serve as a reminder that Halloween is quickly approaching. If you plan on dressing up, get your costume ready in advance. If you have children to dress up, start looking for ideas soon so you’re not frantic at the last minute. And if you plan on showing your Halloween spirit at work, here are a few options for spooky medical scrubs. If you don’t wear prints, try a pair of hospital scrubs that show off the colors of the season, like reds and oranges.

And don’t think you can only wear Halloween print nursing scrubs on October 31st; you can wear them all month long (if your job permits it!) So stop reading and get ready for Halloween early this year. Have your Halloween scrubs ready to wear and your costume planned out in advance. And help me avoid the frantic last minute madness by sharing your favorite costume ideas, tips and tricks!

P.S. Don't forget to enter the Editor @ Large Contest- So far the entries are great and I'm excited to read more.

I know all about how shopping for work clothes can be pricey. Even when shopping the sale racks, the cost of pants, tops and jackets can add up quickly. My personal problem with shopping (besides that I love doing it) is that I tend to find a good deal and save money on one item, but then spend that same money I saved on a pair of overpriced shoes or pants. In the end I usually spend more than I want, despite the deals. 

If you have the same problem when you buy medical uniforms I want to help. I might not be the best at saving money on my own work apparel, but I’m confident in my ability to find good deals at Lydia’s. What kind of employee would I be if I couldn’t?

So for today, my mission was to find you three affordable women’s uniforms, including tops and bottoms, that won’t break your bank. I tried to find one look under $15, one under $25 and one under $30. I think I was successful in finding diverse and affordable women’s uniforms, so here they are:

The look on the left consists of a V-Neck Unisex Scrub Top ($5.99) and a pair of Drawstring Pants ($6.99) in Wine. Both are Lydia’s Red Tag Scrubs.
The total cost of this look is $12.98.

The look in the middle consists of a White Contrast Wrap Scrub Top by Dickies ($11.99) and a pair of Ceil Blue Value Plus Reversible Scrub Pants by Lydia’s ($9.99).
The total cost of this look is $21.98.

The last look consists of a Heavenly Blue Embroidered V-Neck Scrub Top by White Cross ($17.99) and a pair of Navy Everyday Pull on Pants by Dickies ($11.99).
The total cost of this look is $29.98.


I also found this Ladies' Navy Crew Neck Warm-Up Jacket which works as an addition to all of these looks and is only $14.99.

So next time you buy medical uniforms, consider one of these looks to keep you under budget. And if you have any tips about how you save money when you buy medical scrubs at Lydia’s be sure to leave a comment and share them. 

Being the curious type, I decided to get the scoop on the winner of our Win Your Wishlist Contest and her new medical scrubs.  

Our winner Christine is a Dental Assistant and she heard about the Win Your Wishlist contest at the Lydia’s Uniforms homepage. She didn’t think she had a chance of winning because of how many entries there were, but it’s a good thing she entered anyway! When I asked her which medical clothing uniforms she was most excited about receiving in the mail, she replied with, “I am really excited about receiving all the new outfits, just because I have been using hand-me-downs from friends, and slowly trying to replace with new. I also have a hard time finding scrubs to fit (both size and style), but Lydia's always has a great selection to choose from.” And when I finally asked if she was happy about winning, her response was, “Yes it will wonderful to have a whole new wardrobe for work, thank you so much.”

It sounds like the new medical uniforms are just what Christine’s work wardrobe needed. Which uniform scrubs will you buy if you’re the winner in our Editor @ Large Contest?

Depending on the day, I’ve been known to argue that sacrificing comfort for fashion is just necessary. I’ve worn completely inappropriate shoes for mile long walks, just because they were the perfect addition to my outfit, and this has been known to happen on more than one occasion. I’m not the only one who thinks this way, the proof is everywhere: women in dresses, mid-winter, waiting to get into night clubs; brides in elaborate wedding gowns that won’t even allow them to go to the bathroom without a three man (or woman) team; girls in high heels, taking on the descent of the four flights of stairs in their apartment building. Women everywhere are willing to give up comfort for a day of looking good. It’s not rational, but it happens, and somehow I understand.

Fortunately, there is one category of clothing, where I can honestly say that comfort never needs to be compromised for fashion. That category is, of course, medical uniforms. Any part of a medical uniform, whether it’s a lab coat, nursing scrubs or a pair of shoes, I will stand behind the statement that there are comfortable and fashionable options. And if you don’t believe me, here are a few of my favorites.



Left: L.A. Rose Keyhole Neck Scrub Top in Blueberry & Dickies Sandwashed Flare Pants in Cocoa 
Right: IguanaMed Short Sleeve Scrub Tee in Winter White & Urbane Essential Pant in Steel Grey


Left: Cherokee Flex-i-bles Callie Scrub Top & Cherokee Flex-i-bles Scrub Pants in Black
Right: Dickies Black Label Mock Wrap Scrub Top in Ceil Blue & Dickies Black Label Flat Front Flare Leg Scrub Pant in White



I personally went through all of our scrubs to find the ones that I thought had the most comfortable feel. Out of all of our scrubs the Dickies Black Label are definitely the most touchable. The Cherokee Flex-i-bles are unique because they have side insets that are stretchy and allow for easy movement. I hope you like my comfy scrub picks! And if there are any scrubs I didn't mention that you think deserve to be noticed for their high level of comfort combined with fashionable style, leave a comment and share your opinions!

If you haven’t already heard: the Lydia’s Win Your Wishlist Contest is back (I love being the bearer of good news)! Just in time for fall we’re giving you the chance to score $250 of stylish uniforms.  Entering is extremely simple. Whether you’re looking for men’s nursing scrubs, medical supplies or a new lab coat, just login to your Lydia’s Uniforms account, find your favorite items and add them to your wishlist. You have until August 31st to create your wishlist and I’ll be announcing the winner the following week.

                  

To read all the official rules and details of the contest click here. And if you happen to know where I can score my own free work clothes just by browsing an online store, let me know!

Happy Friday everyone! It’s a quiet day here at Lydia’s Uniforms, a few people are already out of the office for the weekend and the rest are busy trying to cram the last of the week’s work into the final Friday hours. One exciting thing that we’ve been working on this week (that I think you’ll be interested in) is bringing you more opportunities to score free medical clothing uniforms! I’m not going to reveal anything just yet, but let’s just say that if you like the sound of free hospital scrubs, you might just want to keep your eye on your e-mail (and maybe on our Facebook and MySpace, while you’re at it).

Now check out the news from the week:

Healthcare Professionals in the News:

• Studies Find Few Differences In Health Outcomes For HIV-Positive Patients Cared For By Nurses Versus Doctors
• New funds will help nursing shortage
• U.S. Faces Serious Shortage Of Primary Care Physicians, Especially In Low-Income, Rural Communities, According To NACHC
• Row over brain surgery pics on Facebook
• Yes, the P.A. Will See You Now

Health News:

• Popping antibiotics send thousands to the ER
• Giving Birth at Home
• More states shred bills for awful medical errors
• Doctors debate when to declare organ donors dead
• Calif. lawmakers weigh chemical ban in baby items

Blogs:

• Patient Safety Threatened by Unprofessional Behavior
• How to Study for the NCLEX-RN
• Am I Contributing to the Nursing Shortage?

Just over a week ago, we went to Cherry Street Health Services in Grand Rapids, MI to do a video shoot (so we can show you how your peers are wearing our scrubs each day).  It was so much fun, and ended up being a great learning opportunity and not just a day out of the office.  We actually got to meet some of the nurses, medical and dental assistants that are customers (and fans) of ours.  After meeting them, I have to say that I’m a fan of theirs too!  This group was the nicest bunch of people, and best of all, we had something in common- scrubs!  Now, if you know me, you know that I am pretty excited about scrubs.  However, my enthusiasm pales in comparison to the staff over at Cherry Street. The best part of my day was seeing what each person had on, and talking to them about how they add their own style to their scrubs. 

Tauheedah had on the cutest jump suit.  It was bright white and looked terrific on her.  I’d never seen before how this kind of uniform could work, but she totally worked it!  Try bright whites for a super-professional look.  Try them in jumpsuit or dress styling to add a fashion edge, and make this traditional look a little more modern.

 

Sammy will be the first to tell you that he doesn’t have a ton of options when it comes to men’s scrubs.  However, he uses color in a really great way to showcase his personal scrub style.  During the shoot, he was wearing chocolate scrubs with a lime green tee underneath.  The day before, he told me he wore mandarin orange with a yellow tee. Seeing how coordinated his colors was so exciting that I immediately made him go outside so I could get some pictures. 

Wendy was wearing our green Urbane scrubs and they complemented her complexion really well. What was so great about them was that the fit was so good.  You could really tell that she put as much thought into the fit of her scrubs as her street clothes.

Karry had on a really cute print top by White Cross. What I loved about seeing her scrubs in action was that prints can really show off personal style in a way that other uniforms can’t.  Got a special interest, or feel drawn to a certain kind of color or season? Try a print! It’s the easiest way to invoke a little style in your work day.

Everyone I talked to said that one of the ways they related to their patients was through the scrubs they wore.  Sammy said that he’d love to see more team logos and colors for men, in particular.  They're all experienced at putting their patients at ease, and each said that professional and fun looking scrubs make all the difference in the world. So tell me what your perspective is- how do you add your unique style to your scrubs?

For work, home or going out on the town, I love layers. I’m unsure as to whether this love of layers developed because I’m cold all the time (it seems my body is incapable of retaining heat) or it might just be part of my style. Most likely, it’s a combination of the two. Regardless of the reasons I love layers; it’s safe to say that at any given time, I’m wearing them (unless I’m shopping-trying on clothes is enough work as it is!).

So when it comes to scrub uniforms there are a few specific reasons why you can love layers.

1.) Warmth: Add a layer under or over your scrubs when you’re cold. Remove a layer from your medical uniform when you’re hot. You get the idea.
Left:Cardigan Scrub Jacket  Right:Nu Dimension Stretch Tailored Scrub Jacket 

2.) Style: When you can’t accessorize layers are the perfect way to add color and contrast to a look. Make your plain blue uniform scrubs pop with a red long sleeve tee underneath. Add a short sleeve tee in a complementary color under your hospital scrubs for a hint of color that peeks out at the neckline. Or add a plain long sleeve tee under a bold print to balance out your look.

3.) Versatile: Mix and match your layers for different looks. Layer your designer medical scrubs one day, but not the next for even more looks. Layers are a cheap way to expand your wardrobe without spending a ton of money (that must be another reason I love them!).

4.) Simple: Not in the mood for matching? Some of our scrubs do the work for you. There are mock layer tops from Katherine Heigl that look like layers but are really only one top! Or there are tops from Koi that come in sets that include a long sleeve tee and a matching scrub top for the price of one!

Sanctuary Mock Layered Scrub Top & Screen Print Mock Layered Scrub Top

     Annie Combo Scrub Top  &   Harlow Scrub Top  

So whether you’re looking for the best way to stay warm while still being stylish (like me), or you need a few new pairs of affordable nursing scrubs to freshen up your wardrobe, layers might just be the way to go this fall.

And if you happen to be in Michigan, like all of us here at Lydia’s, the time to start shopping for those layers is now because fall is on its way!

For last month’s Designer Style to Scrub Style post I showcased three sets of medical uniforms and designer outfits that shared similar shapes and styling. This month my focus has shifted. I’ve found three stylish uniforms which borrow their enticing color palettes and patterns from high end designer tops. I’m personally trying to add more colors and patterns to my wardrobe. It would be great if I could do it by purchasing affordable women’s uniforms like you can!

Although each of these tops features a daring print, they all have a slightly different appeal, which is what makes these stylish uniforms so special.

The first pair consists of a scrub top by Los Angeles Rose and a designer top by Sweet Pea. The muted color palette combined with the shapes on each top creates a subtle style. 

                 Designer Style: Sweet Pea       Scrub Style: LA Rose
             

The second pair consists of a Landau Medical Scrubs Top and a designer top by Shoshanna. The vibrant bursts of color on these two tops create a more fun, outgoing look. And the two are just another example of how designer nursing scrubs are keeping up with high end styles.

                Designer Style: Shoshanna          Scrub Style: Landau
              

The last pair consists of a second top from Los Angeles Rose and a designer top from Cynthia Steffe. To me, these prints seem to combine trendy style and sophisticated style. I think it’s the baroque patterns that make them seem so sophisticated. 

                  Designer Style: Cynthia Steffe  Scrub Style: LA Rose
             


Have you noticed any other color palettes, prints or styles that are showing up in the new fall medical uniforms and also in your favorite clothing stores? If you do, e-mail me pictures or links to these styles and I’ll feature them in the next month’s Designer Style to Scrub Style post.

Everyday our office here at Lydia's Uniforms is full of cute apparel, and I’m not just talking about the stylish uniforms. The five other members of my department have great taste and it always shows in their clothing. I inquired into these fashionable minds to see what they love about the new scrubs for fall and they told me which stylish uniforms are their favorites.

Leesa:
My favorite product is the new Flex-i-bles print jacket.  The colors in the print are my favorite combination for this fall - simply spectacular!  Flex-i-bles has always been one of my favorite lines because of the knit spandex, roll down waistband on the pants.  The jacket has this same coordinating knit spandex inserted into the sides.  Ooohh...so comfy!

Lindsey:
I really like the new Koi Vanessa Prints. The scrubs have retro patterns with really trendy styling. I don’t think they look like scrub tops at all!

Rachel:
I like the new Bamboo line by Iguana Med. It’s super soft and very light, plus they’ve taken the sporty styling to a new level by adding some feminine details (i.e. gathered seams, colors match what’s hot for fall).

Amanda:
I would have to say Katherine Heigl Woodstock is my new favorite collection.  The colors are bright and pretty, and I love the hippie vibe that you get from these scrubs!

Nicole:
The Swirls and Whirls Contrast Sash Mock Wrap Scrub Top by Dickies is my favorite. I love the style with the tie back and especially love the color combination of aqua blue, off white and chocolate brown.  This top will go great with the Back Elastic Cargo Scrub Pants in Chocolate, which are an everyday favorite. 

Personally, it’s hard for me to choose a favorite. There is definitely something to love about each of the choices above, whether it’s the fashion forward style (Katherine Heigl’s Woodstock line!) or an extra touch of comfort (Cherokee Flex-i-bles!). I think that in addition to all of the stylish uniforms shown above, the new Landau Medical scrubs are some of my favorites. This style top is flattering on different body types and I adore the bright prints and patterns.

So now that you've seen the designer medical scrubs that we love, which new scrub uniforms do you like best? Do you agree with one of us or is there a fabulous new item that we didn’t mention? Share your opinion; we would love to hear it!

Today I want to tell you about some of my favorite new styles from the fall collection of scrub uniforms.  It was hard to choose what to talk about with so many new designer medical scrubs available. After some thought, I decided on a few one-of-a-kind new looks from Iguana Med. Everyone in the office, including me, seems to love these new pieces. A few weeks ago they were on a clothing rack of scrubs near my desk; everyone who walked by took notice of them. I think the combination of their soft feel and unique yet traditional styling made them stand out among all the scrub uniforms.

What makes these medical scrubs unique is that they’re all made partially from bamboo. I remember hearing about bamboo clothing awhile ago, but before these medical clothing uniforms arrived at Lydia’s Uniforms I had never actually seen any articles that were made from it. I’m glad I finally did because I absolutely love it.

So you might be wondering why bamboo for medical scrubs? Well, some research informed me that in addition to its soft feeling and high quality there are many reasons that bamboo fabric is an awesome new alternative. Some of my favorite reasons are: it requires a relatively low amount of energy and water to grow, it can be grown without pesticides and it is sustainable to harvest because of its fast growth. Sounds good to me!

These scrubs are  really similar to many of the cotton surgical scrubs that we carry, but the mixture of bamboo and cotton gives them a different feel. The medical uniforms have a very high end look, but they're also soft and lightweight which makes them seem extremely comfortable. I also appreciate the crew neck on this scrub top. It’s a bit different from the v-neck that many scrub uniforms have, but still has the look of traditional and professional scrubs.

Iguana Med also offers these two tees. They're great because in addition to being super soft they're also slightly stretchy and breathable. If I happen to purchase new workout wear anytime soon, and I just might have to, this short sleeve top will definitely be on my list of must-haves. Either top would probably work great under your favorite cotton surgical scrubs or by itself with a pair of scrub pants.

So if you happen to try out these new medical scrubs, leave a comment and let everyone know what you think! How do they compare to your other designer medical scrubs? And if I end up purchasing one of the shirts I’ll be sure to tell you how they hold up during a tiresome workout.

Sometimes you can’t help but get a little dirty at work and for certain professions in the medical field; it’s just part of the job. My job isn’t all that dirty; so I can only imagine the complications of keeping a white lab coat white, or what it takes to keep your favorite well worn hospital scrubs looking clean and professional. But what I imagine is that it’s probably not easy.

So since you probably don’t want to buy a new lab coat every time you get a stain, and since I can’t do your laundry for you, I’m going to do the next best thing; I’m going to give you tips on how to remove some tough stains from your medical scrubs. For those of you who have been wearing medical scrubs for a long time, you probably know all these tricks and more, but for those of you who are new to hospital uniforms, lab coats or scrubs; read on.

I decided to focus on a three stains that are fairly common in general and even more widespread in the medical profession: iodine, blood and ink. I’ve used all the stain removal methods below and I can definitely say that they’re effective.

Iodine Stains
1. The first thing to know about iodine stains is that you should not wash them out with any detergent containing oxygen bleach or chlorine. These can set in the stain, which will make it even more difficult to remove.
2. Use a detergent without either of these ingredients and rub it directly on the stain.
3. Wash as usual.
4. If the stain persists, mix one tablespoon of sodium thiosulfate with warm water.
5. Blot the stain.
6. Wash again.

Blood & Ink Stains
1. If the stain has dried, first soak in water for 10-20 minutes.
2. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain. When it reacts with the blood or ink it will begin to bubble.
3. Let it sit for a few minutes.
4. Rub away the stain.
5. Rinse with cold water.
6. Repeat as necessary.
7. Wash as usual.

I hope that these tips help you keep your lab coats and scrubs from Lydia's looking clean, new and professional. If you have additional tips on how to keep scrubs in their best shape, leave a comment and share them with everyone! Or if you have any questions about keeping your medical uniform as clean as you can, feel free to ask.

The 4th of July is only 2 days away! I can't even believe it's already July. I haven't made any plans yet, but I hope I find something exciting to do for the holiday weekend. I doubt I'll be going to fireworks because my boyfriend isn't a fan of them, but  I'm hoping to at least get together with friends and grill out or go to the beach. We'll see what happens! What I do know is that I'll be wearing my favorite red summer dress.

So what are your plans for Friday? Will everyone be wearing their red, white and blue medical scrubs for the holiday weekend or will you be staying home and not wearing medical scrubs at all? I love these three stylish medical scrubs tops. They're perfect for the 4th, or for any day of the year really!

             
      Pro Series Snap Front Top, White Cross Mock Wrap Ruffle Top, Urbane Contrast Piping Top
  
Well, whether you're wearing nursing scrubs, lab coats or hospital scrubs at work or your staying home and relaxing in your PJs, I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!

Any job that requires latex gloves or excessive hand washing can lead to extremely dry skin. If you wear medical scrubs it’s likely that your job requires both of those things. Fortunately for me, my job doesn’t require excessive hand washing or glove wearing. Nevertheless, my hands are consistently dry. It’s partially my own fault and probably can be attributed to the scalding hot water I use in the shower. But regardless, I know how terrible it is to constantly have dry hands.

When I was browsing through our samples of scrubs and medical clothing uniforms the other day I came across the Glove’n Care Hand Cream available from Lydia’s. I decided I would test it out, see if I liked it and share my thoughts with you

So here’s what I liked about it: The lotion was really creamy and rich, my skin seemed to absorb it quickly. My hands still felt moisturized for awhile after applying it so I didn’t need to reapply it frequently. Plus I only had to use a small amount when I did apply it. I also liked how my hands seemed less dry in general after I used it for a few days.

One more benefit is that the cream is water based. This doesn't mean much to me, but it should to anyone who wears latex gloves on the job.Other lotions are capable of breaking down latex, but water based, petroleum free lotions do not.

The only thing I didn’t like about it was the lack of fragrance. It did have a mild fragrance that smelled nice, but I like lotions with stronger scents. The mild fragrance is probably preferable for anyone who’s working with patients that might be sensitive to strong smells or anyone unlike me who doesn’t want a strong scent.

Overall, I would say this lotion is perfect for anyone in the medical profession, or anyone wearing latex gloves on the job. It was made just for you and it actually works really well!

Is there anyone else out there who has tried this hand cream? What do you think about it? Does it keep your hands moisturized during a long day wearing scrubs and working hard?

One look through a Lydia’s catalog will tell you that medical clothing uniforms come in all sorts of styles. Whether traditional hospital scrubs, lab coats and suits, a nursing dress or designer medical scrubs; the many styles of medical clothing uniforms continue to transition with the times. With so many styles of medical clothing uniforms to choose from, it seems that the line between acceptable medical clothing uniforms and unacceptable is extremely blurry. As that line continues to become more blurred, employees must abide by the policies and opinions of their employers when it comes to picking out their medical clothing uniforms or medical scrubs. 

When researching dress codes at different locations around the country I discovered that there’s no uniformity when it comes to uniform dress codes. It seems that the most popular dress code is basic scrubs with a specific color for each position (green for surgeons, blue for RNs, etc.). But even this dress code isn’t uniform. Colors are different for different facilities. Sometimes patterns are acceptable and sometimes they’re not. And then there’s the whole issue of jewelry, nails, hair, etc., and it’s a complicated issue! There are other facilities that seem to be more lax, permitting any style of scrubs, having casual Fridays and some that even permit jeans to be worn with scrub tops.

As I read different forums and posts across the Internet, I discovered that employee’s opinions about dress codes are just as diverse as the dress codes themselves. Since personal care providers are often required to do strenuous and/or messy work and because more facilities are no longer providing medical uniforms, but instead requiring employees to buy medical uniforms; it’s no surprise that there are strong opinions about what can and cannot be worn.  On one site I looked at, more than one individual expressed that they were actually narrowing down their job options based on dress codes. Many individuals stated a dislike for dress codes that require all white scrubs if they’re going to be performing duties that will likely be messy. And some individuals were perfectly fine with dress codes, whatever it may be, as long as they could wear comfortable medical scrubs.

I also discovered an article at American Nurse today that outlined a study on medical scrubs. The study attempted to discover what patients preferred when it came to medical scrubs. Results showed that 64% of patients thought nurses should be allowed to wear any uniform color, 39% said they would like to identify their RN by uniform color and 80% said they would like to identify their RN by a large print “RN” on a name badge. Interesting results considering the number of hospitals that use color as a way to define their employees’ positions.

In my opinion, both the more modern stylish medical scrubs and the traditional basic scrubs look professional as long as they are worn in a neat and clean matter. What's your dress code and what do you think?

And as someone who wears medical scrubs, which look do you like best? The first look is a dress by L.A. Rose. The second look consists of Barco Medical Scrubs. And the third look is a scrub top by L.A. Rose with a pair of flare scrub pants by Dickies.