A vital part of the medical uniform for many health professionals is scrub head wear. Scrubs, including headwear, are not merely a fashion statement for doctors and nurses. In sterile environments scrubs act as a barrier against the transfer of bacteria. Scrub hats are especially important as hair is responsible for carrying a plethora of bacteria.

Just as typical scrubs, manufactures use woven and non-woven materials to make scrub headwear. Non-woven materials work well for one time use, while you can wash and reuse woven hats. Consider the following points as you learn about medical uniform headwear basics:

1. Understand why scrub hats are important and their roll in fighting against bacteria.

2. Wear scrub hats in sterile environments.

3. Choose a material that best suits your scrub hat comfort and needs.

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Find information on the purpose of surgeon headwear

Medical scrubs and headwear play an important part in keeping sterile environments free from bacteria and other germs. Medical caps keep hair contained, helping to keep strays from transferring harmful bacteria.

I recommend: Learn how to keep sterile areas clean by wearing surgical caps in medical settings at Infection Control Today. It gives an overview of scrub headwear and other medical uniform attire, and the reasoning for their use. BNET provides important guidelines set by OSHA and AORN for medical uniforms and surgical caps.

Provide surgical scrub hats for use in controlled medical environments

While many medical professionals can simply wear a scrub uniform consisting of a shirt and pants, the law requires other professionals to wear scrub hats as well. Medical professionals required to wear scrub hats as part of their uniform include surgical nurses and doctors, as well as those working with patients that are extremely susceptible to disease.

I recommend: EzineArticles.com provides a basic overview of the medical uniform, which can include surgical scrub hats for many medical professionals. For a picture of surgical scrub hats designed for long hair, visit Nurse Noggins. It's a provider of specialty medical headwear for men and women.

Decide whether to use disposable and reusable surgeon headwear

Manufacturers use materials like cotton or cotton/poly blends to make scrub hats. You can purchase or rent woven scrub hats. Non-woven disposable scrub hats sell in bulk cases of 500-1000 count. Determine the type of material you choose by your work environment, budget and sterility needs.

I recommend: Medical Supplies & Equipment Company is a provider of medical uniforms. It has several articles on different types of uniform materials, including non-woven material for disposable scrub hats. Deb's Hats has information on which style of woven scrub hats to choose from, based on the amount of hair you need to cover.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing 100% cotton scrub hats, choose those that have been pre-shrunk, so that the hat won't shrink after washing.

Medical uniforms have evolved from the sterile green or white garbs of old into colorful outfits that provide a glimpse into a medical professional’s personality. And this style evolution isn’t limited to scrub shirts and pants. Today, even surgeon headwear has gotten in on the act, offering a wide variety of colors and prints for doctor headwear as well as personalization options like emblems and embroidery.

Before you explore the many options out there for medical uniforms, consider the following:

1. Some patients may be expecting a classic “doctor” and “nurse” look and would be resistant to out-of-the-ordinary scrub headwear.
2. If you are able to branch out into colors and patterns with surgical scrub hats and other medical wear, choose designs that represent a part of your personality.
3. Personalize scrub hats or shirts with the hospital's name, a favorite sports team – you name it – to create a unique look.

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Know your patients' limitations

Obviously, a patient's best interest is the top priority, so if you think colorful, fun designs of doctor headwear would make him or her uncomfortable, opt for a more traditional look.

I recommend: SmartScrubs offers basic styles of surgical scrub hats. Even better, you coordinate their patterns and colors of surgeon headwear with their wide variety of medical uniform tops and pants.

Explore your personal style

Selecting a unique pattern in doctor headwear or nurse headwear not only allows you to express yourself but might also calm nervous patients. It can also provide an easy conversation opener during an uncomfortable situation.

I recommend: Sparkling Earth features many unique designs of scrub headwear, including camouflage and stars and stripes patterns. The name of the company Sassy Scrubs says it all, with more than 1,400 sassy prints and solids to choose from for your medical headwear needs. With dozens of “wild” designs to choose from, Animal Kingdom Scrubs is perfect for animal lovers.

Add an emblem or other personalized design

Embroidering your name or the hospital's name on medical uniforms is a traditional option that many professionals like. But you can take personalization a step further by embroidering a favorite college sports team or adhering a fun, medical-related emblem on scrub hats or other hospital wear.

I recommend: AllHeart offers scrub hats, surgical caps, bouffants, hats, visors and disposables for both male and female medical professionals. Medical headwear items can be personalized with embroidered names or emblems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Since surgical caps and other hospital headwear is of a sanitary nature, some companies will not allow exchanges or returns.
• •  If buying medical headwear in bulk for both male and female professionals, opt for the many unisex styles available to save money.

Hospital headwear comes in a wide range of styles, uses and sizes. Finding the best price on headwear can be a daunting task if you're not looking in the right place. Do some research on scrub cap options; consider the need of the headwear to establish a good rundown of the type of cap you need. Buying caps to wash and reuse is a great money saver, but finding the right type of cap is equally important.

Buying in bulk can also end up saving money on medical uniform headwear. If you're purchasing headwear for an entire organization, you can end up saving hundreds if not thousands of dollars by buying reusable headwear in bulk quantities and washing it properly. When you need sterile disposable surgical headwear, look for suppliers that offer bulk discounts on disposable headwear as well. To save money:

1. Compare headwear options with your medical hat needs, and look for bulk buys to save money.

2. Rent disposable surgeon headwear to avoid laundering costs.

3. Buy washable headwear you or your employees clean themselves.

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Research the best type of hospital headwear for your needs

There are many differences between scrub hats for surgical and other medical uses including materials used, levels of sterile uses and costs. Research all the available options before purchasing medical headwear. You don't need to spend the extra money for high-end surgical scrub hats if you only need headwear for the emergency room or other less sterile environments. If buying disposable hats, look for bulk buying options to save you money.

I recommend: If you're a medical professional looking to buy your own surgical or medical headwear, consider making the purchase with some colleagues. Many suppliers offer discounts for larger orders. Check the Scrub Caps website for hundreds of cap options and discounts. Find bulk disposable buying options at Adex Medical or Surgical Supply Service.

Consider renting surgical caps from a company that provides laundering services

As a medical organization trying to save money, laundry services can add up fast. Compare the cost of washing your own scrub hats with the option of outsourcing your hat laundering by renting from a company that provides headwear and cleaning services. If you already have a company that provides medical uniforms cleaning, adding the cost of headwear cleaning may be an economical solution.

I recommend: Cintas provides a complete line of medical wear including headwear with laundering and delivery options. UniFirst offers a complete line of medical uniform services. They also provide other medical facility services like cleaning, laundering and hygiene products.

Buy washable doctor headwear as an organization or as an individual

If your medical headwear needs can be accomplished with a reusable, washable option, buying reusable bouffant and other headwear can save the facility a lot of money. Buying disposable headwear to use once and discard is not only bad for the environment; it's also hard on the pocketbook. Buy reusable headwear that to use in the surgical environment and plan on washing it properly. Avoid shrinkage when purchasing 100 percent cotton reusable scrub hats. Look for pre-shrunk hats so you won't be left with headwear that doesn't fit after the first wash.

I recommend: Sparkling Earth provides a wide range of designs and options for medical headwear that can be washed and reused. My Nursing Uniform also has many nurse headwear options that includes washable scrub hats.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you decide to go with wash-and-wear medical headwear, it's important to establish a routine of facility laundering only for sterile environments. Proper sterilization can be an issue if employees are allowed to launder their own hats.

Medical uniform headwear key terms cover much more than the shower cap in blue or green that was a mainstay just a decade or so ago. Today's medical uniform headwear has a flair for fashion and a style all its own. The headwear comes in a variety of styles and hundreds of patterns; many are made to order and can even be embroidered or customized.

Whether you are looking to outfit your staff in matching medical uniform headwear or simply want to get ideas for yourself on what's available, here are some good-to-know key terms to get you started:

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Bouffant cap

Bouffant caps are the traditional shower cap style of headwear most often seen in the medical community. In addition to the standard disposable type, they also are now available in a variety of non-disposable prints, fabrics and styles.

I recommend: Learn everything you ever wanted to know about bouffant caps and see virtually every style available at Medical Supplies & Equipment.

Banded bouffant cap

Banded bouffant caps are a mix between traditional bouffant caps and what's considered a standard surgical cap. They have a headband and ties around the bottom but still have the classic bouffant style.

I recommend: See the banded bouffant caps at Sparkling Earth, which even have an absorbent terrycloth sweatband sewn into the headband.

Tie-back scrub cap

Tie-back scrub caps have become a very popular option in medical uniform headwear. They typically are made of cotton and fit over the head, with ties to secure the cap at the neckline in the back.

I recommend: See a variety of colors and styles of tie-back scrub caps at AllHeart.

Elastic-back scrub cap

Elastic-back scrub caps have elastic instead of ties in the back. Many in the medical profession find them more comfortable and easier to put on and remove than tie-back caps.

I recommend: Tafford Uniforms carries elastic-back scrub caps in a variety of solid colors to match virtually any scrub pattern.

Skull cap

Skull caps are similar to traditional surgical or scrub caps, but they have a headband around the bottom and a stylish ribbon-type tie in the back.

I recommend: Get a feel for the look and design of medical skull caps at Scrubs Gallery.

Pony scrub hat

Pony scrub hats are designed specifically for women who have long hair that needs to be concealed beneath a scrub hat.

I recommend: The pony scrub hat design is exclusive to Blue Sky Scrubs, which makes both cotton and disposable versions.