In an effort to improve patient safety in the operating room, the American College of Surgeons has released recommendations for a new comprehensive dress policy for surgeons. Scrubs are still in, but only inside the hospital perimeter.

Other key highlights from the new dress policy include:

• OR scrubs must be changed at least daily.
• Soiled scrubs and/or hats must be changed before speaking with family members after an operation.
• Scrubs and hats worn during dirty or contaminated cases should be changed prior to subsequent cases even if not visibly soiled.
• Masks should not be worn dangling at any time.
• If OR scrubs are worn outside the OR (but still within the hospital perimeter), they must be covered by a clean lab coat or appropriate cover up.
• During invasive procedures, the mouth, nose, and hair (skull and face) should be covered to avoid potential wound contamination. 
• Large sideburns and ponytails should be covered or contained. 
• Earrings and jewelry worn on the head or neck where they might fall into or contaminate the sterile field should all be removed or appropriately covered during procedures.

To learn more, read the full guidelines here.