The healthcare sector is ranked among the top three industries with the highest accident rates due to its occupational risks.
Therefore, healthcare personnel must be extra cautious at work and equip themselves with the best tools to avoid these risks at all costs.
Among these tools are medical uniforms. For many, medical apparel is more of a requirement than a mere necessity. These garments are crucial for protecting professionals in the sector, helping them perform their daily activities safely and comfortably.
That’s why both professionals and healthcare institutions need to choose uniforms that provide the highest level of safety and are certified to quality standards that confirm their effectiveness.
Additionally, adding a distinctive touch beyond the essentials to provide clients with high quality—something that sets Colorchain apart from other medical apparel brands. We achieve this by combining our expertise with the best certified materials to create a product that addresses the needs and desires of healthcare professionals, incorporating specialized sizing techniques, a unique style that identifies each person, and comfort that stands the test of time.
Let’s explore three key features to consider when choosing the best medical apparel on the market.
Fluid Repellency to Prevent Microbial Retention
This fabric is designed to, as its name indicates, repel fluids from its surface, quickly moving them away from the uniform's fabric. Therefore, the fluid repellent factor acts as an antimicrobial shield, as biological fluids are not absorbed by the fabric, do not touch the skin, and are removed from the garment quickly.
This fabric is especially necessary for healthcare staff, as biological risk accidents are among the most common in the industry.
Thanks to technological advances and improved development processes, high-quality fluid-repellent uniforms no longer make loud noises when walking and do not trap the heat generated by excessive sweating and possible dehydration. In fact, they feature thermoregulation and are moisture-wicking, meaning they draw sweat through their fibers and move it to the fabric’s surface.
This is because the substance that activates the fluid repellent is applied to the fiber of the fabric, not on top of it.
Although many brands use this technology, not all are certified. It’s crucial to use brands that certify their fabrics, as they guarantee the effectiveness promised to their clients. For example, one test that certifies fluid repellency is the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) water repellency test.
UV Protection to Prevent Sunburn
For those doctors working outdoors in hot regions or on sunny days, it's essential that their uniform has UV protection. This is even more critical when a study in the UK revealed that not all professionals take care of their skin when exposed to the sun. While 89% applied sunscreen, only 27% reapplied it every two hours to maintain sun protection.
Given the busy days, it’s easy to forget to reapply sunscreen. Medical apparel with UV protection can be the difference between a painful sunburn and healthy skin on a hot day.
The effectiveness of this factor should also be certified, as it is crucial for skin care. The AATCC is also one of the institutions that provides and certifies this test to ensure the high quality of UV-protected fabrics.
Stretch for Freedom of Movement and Fabric Durability
A doctor might work shifts of up to 36 hours, or up to 24 hours for junior doctors, so their uniform must be durable for such long hours.
Healthcare professionals are constantly moving for extended periods, using heavy equipment, and supporting their patients, so their clothing must be their best ally.
The technology applied in modern medical uniforms focuses on allowing staff to move freely to perform at their best in all activities. It is necessary for garments to have bidirectional stretch so they can stretch without losing their original shape over time.
This is a feature that can also be certified to ensure brands guarantee the durability of their uniforms and equipment.
In conclusion, fluid repellency, UV protection, and high-quality stretch are key features that all individual doctors and institutions should look for when purchasing medical uniforms. It is important that these factors are certified, as they verify the effectiveness of the garments and provide better results in terms of comfort, freedom of movement, and protection for staff.
Undoubtedly, these elements should be complemented by the special touch provided by Colorchain, offering superior quality acquired through expertise and extensive knowledge of customer needs.
Explore our Colorchain catalog of differentiated and high-quality medical apparel.
