Uniforms made mandatory for medics

PHC says scrubs and white coats should not be worn outside healthcare premises

LAHORE:

Hospitals in Punjab had been ordered to ensure that doctors, paramedical and other employees wear prescribed uniforms while performing their duties to improve infection prevention, patient safety and professional accountability.

The directive, issued under Section 4(2) of the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) Act 2010, applies to facilities having more than 30 beds.

The commission has placed responsibility on the healthcare facilities to ensure that employees falling within the specified categories are provided appropriate professional attire and not allowed to perform duty without it.

Under the instructions, healthcare establishments must provide standard uniforms to janitorial and sanitation personnel, overalls to doctors and designated kits to employees working in operation theatres and rooms where specialised medical procedures are conducted.

Standard uniforms have also been made necessary for paramedical staff.

The commission emphasised that uniform requirements should not be treated merely as an administrative formality but as part of efforts to improve healthcare standards, infection control practices and help patients distinguish between different categories of medical personnel.

The PHC has encouraged healthcare establishments to adopt the 'bare below elbow' policy while providing patient care. The approach is intended to support better hand and forearm hygiene and reduce the risk of microorganisms spreading through contact during clinical procedures. Healthcare facilities are expected to incorporate appropriate infection prevention practices into their institutional arrangements.

The commission stressed that scrubs and white coats should not be worn outside healthcare premises. The restriction aims to prevent professional clothing used in clinical environments from being carried into public spaces where it could become exposed to contaminants.

The healthcare establishments were urged to consider a colour-coded uniform arrangement to distinguish professional roles. Such a system makes it easier for patients and attendants to identify doctors, paramedical and other hospital personnel, particularly in emergency and outpatient departments.