For patients and family members, it can be confusing to try to identify the many caregivers in a hospital when everyone, including members of the general public, might be dressed in scrubs.   A study published last year in Nursing Management Magazine mentioned that patients and families want to be able to easily identify caregivers so they know who to approach with questions about their care.  Family members reported feeling embarrassed when they approached the wrong person with their questions.

To help patients quickly identify their nursing staff, the nurses of Des Peres Hospital have gotten a uniform make-over: Des Peres Hospital’s registered nurses and licensed nurse practitioners wear navy blue tops and bottoms and white or navy jackets.  Nursing support staff, including patient care technicians, monitor technicians and unit secretaries wear wine tops and bottoms and wine jackets.

“A professional appearance is essential to patient safety, hospital operation, and customer service,” said Rita Hess, chief nursing officer.  “With the new uniforms, our nursing staff will be easily identifiable by their function within the hospital.”

All inpatient nursing unit employees began wearing their new uniforms on March 1, 2010.