Selecting workwear for hospital staff extends far beyond deciding “which uniforms to buy.” A healthcare facility’s staff needs reliable uniforms, plus a uniform management program that fits their needs for style, size, and maintenance. Choosing the right uniform program for hospital staff can be complicated by the variety of potential garments, plus the need to adapt the uniform solution as the facility’s workforce requirements change.
A hospital’s workforce includes nurses, doctors, lab technicians, maintenance workers, and more. Such a range of employees can make it challenging for a hospital to independently select and maintain uniforms for each department.
A uniform program helps by bringing garment selection, fitting, maintenance, laundering, and more into a single system. Uniform programs for healthcare facilities help by providing a uniform solution that fits the needs of each department.
What factors should a hospital consider before choosing a uniform program?
One of the first considerations before selecting a uniform program is to determine the needs of the hospital staff.
A provider cannot select the best uniform program for a healthcare facility without determining who will be wearing the garments, what they need from the uniforms, and any current issues they are experiencing with uniform maintenance.
Determine uniform needs of each employee group
The first step when determining the needs of hospital staff, is to compile a list of the various employee groups.
The healthcare facility should consider:
• Departments that require uniforms
• Number of staff members who need garments
• Staff members who directly interact with patients
• Specialized clothing needs of each department
• If different departments need to have unique styles
• Frequency of staffing changes
Compiling such a list makes it easier to ensure that the selected uniform program accommodates the needs of each department, rather than centering the program around the requirements of a single department, such as nurses.
If the hospital selects a program that is focused only on garments for nursing positions, there may not be a sufficient selection for lab technicians, or other support staff members.
Examine current uniform procedures
Another consideration before selecting a uniform program is to determine how the hospital currently manages uniforms.
The healthcare facility should review the process for purchasing or acquiring the garments, as well as the management of inventory and laundry. It can also be helpful to speak with staff members and determine if there are issues with such procedures.
Some hospitals find that their current uniform procedures create unnecessary work for employees or management.
For instance, some hospitals discover that their current uniform procedures lead to staff members lacking the needed workwear.
Once the hospital identifies the issues with its current uniform procedures, the organization can determine which aspects of the uniform program it wants to change.
How should hospitals select different types of garments?
The next step in choosing a uniform program for a hospital is to determine what garments the staff needs.
Fit, Function and Fashion
Healthcare workers often have a physically demanding job.
They may need to move from one location to another, assist patients in wheelchairs or beds, stand, sit, or walk for long periods of time, and perform other strenuous activities. This means that garments must be carefully selected so that the staff can perform their duties comfortably.
The hospital should consider the fit and size, fabric, flexibility, pockets, construction, seasonal variations, and other factors. The ideal uniform for a hospital is not always the most attractive option; the garments also need to function well and allow the wearer to perform their duties.
UniFirst offers a selection of healthcare workwear, including scrubs, that is designed for medical professionals. Providers that offer multiple types of garments can better accommodate the needs of different departments and staff members, rather than forcing each employee group to wear the same style of uniform.
Another consideration in selecting the appropriate garments for different employee groups is the appearance of the uniform.
Some hospitals select a uniform style and color that represent the company, while other facilities use special colors or insignias to designate different departments or roles.
The goal is to provide staff members with a uniform that is easy to identify.
It is also important to establish rules and guidelines so that employees know what to wear.
How can hospitals evaluate a uniform provider?
A uniform provider can play a large role in a hospital’s day-to-day operations.
Assessing the provider’s process
A provider’s process can have a major impact on the hospital’s staff, meaning that it is vital for a healthcare facility to carefully review the provider’s process. Hospitals can ask the provider to describe a garment’s journey, from issue to pickup. Questions for the provider can include:
- How are staff members fit for the uniforms?
- How are the garments issued to employees?
- How are used garments collected for laundering?
- How are the garments laundered?
- How are damaged garments repaired or replaced?
- How do the providers handle repairs?
- How are replacement garments issued?
- What occurs when an employee leaves the facility?
- How quickly can new garments be issued?
By asking these questions, a hospital can gain a better understanding of what it is actually purchasing.
By reviewing the provider’s process, a hospital can determine if a managed uniform service would be beneficial. For instance, a managed uniform service often includes regular pickups and deliveries, as well as repairs and inspections, which can free up staff members.
Hospitals in Massachusetts can review UniFirst healthcare uniform services in Boston for more details on garments for different departments and the processes involved.
Discuss reliability and communication
Another important consideration when evaluating a uniform provider is to determine if there are reliable communication methods and appropriate plans for issues.
A hospital should ask the provider about its processes for resolving problems, such as late delivery or damaged garments.
Issues such as resizing, emergency replacements, and fittings also need to be considered.
For instance, some providers have a standard procedure for emergency garment replacements, while other providers may require the hospital to contact them in order to receive emergency garments.
Communication is especially important for hospitals, as most hospitals cannot delay the issue.
How can a hospital prepare for employee fittings?
Uniform fittings can be an effective way to introduce a uniform program to a hospital, particularly if the hospital creates a fitting process.
Provide size options
Because each employee has a different body type and preference, the hospital should ensure that there is a wide enough selection of garments so that each worker can select a size that fits them comfortably
The hospital should also consider whether different departments need different types of garments.
A fitting service from a uniform provider can be an effective way to introduce a program to a hospital, as most providers will ensure that each garment fits the worker comfortably.
Simplify the onboarding process
When new staff members join a hospital, they may not have the time or resources to go through a complex uniform fitting and selection process.
Therefore, it is important to make the uniform selection process as simple as possible for new staff members.
Ideally, the uniform needs of new staff members would be incorporated into the onboarding process.
Once the new employee’s role and size has been determined, the uniform program can issue the garments as needed. A managed uniform program can make it easy for the hospital to onboard new employees, particularly if the hospital only hires new employees occasionally.
How can a hospital prepare for garment maintenance?
Proper cleaning and maintenance of garments is an important aspect of a uniform program.
Before implementing the program, the hospital should consider aspects such as laundry and how frequently the garments will need to be cleaned.
Establish a reliable pick-up and delivery schedule
The hospital will most likely want to establish a regular pick-up and delivery schedule.
Hospitals should understand the process and how frequently garments will be picked up or delivered, based on the number of staff members, the number of shifts each week, and the number of employees who participate in the program.
If a significant number of staff members participate in the program and work multiple shifts, the hospital must ensure there will be enough garments for each shift, based on the pick-up and delivery schedule.
Account for wear and damage
As uniforms are used, they will eventually begin to show wear and require repair or replacement. The hospital should ask the provider about the process for reporting and repairing damaged garments.
A managed uniform program can include regular inspection and repair services.
By using such a program, a hospital can avoid dedicating resources to the repair and replacement of garments.
UniFirst’s uniform rental program includes repairing garments as needed, inspecting the garments, and laundering the workwear, freeing up the hospital’s resources.
How Can a Uniform Program Support Staffing and Financial Needs?
Hospital staffing can change frequently, particularly in larger facilities, so a uniform program should make it easy to add new employees and remove garments when employees leave. A streamlined process can reduce the time and administrative work involved in fittings, garment distribution, returns, and employee changes. UniFirst states that its healthcare uniform programs can accommodate staff additions and departures.
Cost should also be evaluated beyond the initial garment price. Hospitals may need to account for laundering, storage, repairs, replacements, inventory, and administrative time when managing uniforms internally. A managed program may provide additional services such as laundering, repairs, replacements, and delivery. Therefore, hospitals should compare the overall value and total costs of each option rather than focusing only on the purchase price.
Conclusion
Choosing the right uniform program for a hospital involves more than selecting comfortable workwear. Hospitals need a reliable system that can manage garment selection, employee fittings, laundering, repairs, replacements, inventory, and staffing changes while meeting the needs of different departments.
A well-managed uniform program can reduce administrative work, improve consistency, and ensure that employees have comfortable and functional garments when they need them. By evaluating the provider’s services, reliability, flexibility, communication, and overall value, hospitals can choose a program that supports their staff and adapts as their needs change.
UniFirst offers uniform and workplace service solutions designed to support healthcare facilities with their workwear needs. If you’re considering a new uniform program for your hospital, contact our team to discuss your requirements and find a solution that works for your facility.If your hospital is considering its uniform options, now is the time to contact us at UniFirst and discuss your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first step when a hospital chooses a uniform program?
The first step is to determine the needs of the hospital staff.
Should a hospital prioritize price or quality when choosing a uniform program?
A hospital should carefully review the value of the uniform program, rather than focusing on a single aspect, such as the price of the garments.
Can different departments have different uniforms?
Yes, a hospital can accommodate different garments for each department.
How important is professional laundering for a uniform program?
Laundering can be an essential aspect of a uniform program.
A hospital must review the laundering process and consider the requirements of the hospital staff before selecting a program.
Can a hospital change its uniform program as staffing needs change?
The hospital should ensure that the program can accommodate changes in staffing.
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