Jonathan Uniform What Do Medical Scrub Color Mean

As you’ve probably gathered from our fantastic collection of medical uniforms, scrubs come in a great choice of different colours. From navy blue to brown and teal to purple, scrubs are available in almost all the colours of the rainbow. This rainbow of variety ensures healthcare professionals can find the shade that best suits them or their position. However, the colour of scrubs can also help hospitals colour code their wards and differentiate between roles.

Colour coded medical scrubs can help your hospital to organise its workforce, reinforce staff morale and help patients to navigate their way around the space. They can also encourage employees to build a sense of identity and help new members of staff to more easily identify their colleagues.

If you’re currently looking for a new set of medical scrubs, you’ll need to take this dress code into account when searching for your perfect pair. So,  to help you narrow down your options, and get a better idea of why different medical professionals wear different shades, we’re taking a look at all the different colours available and what they could mean for you.

Blue: The Standard

Blue is often considered the default color for medical scrubs. The colour blue is closely associated with the medical profession, and it’s very common to see a variety of blue scrub uniforms in a hospital or other type of medical setting. The shade of blue can denote the position of the wearer. For example, a hospital might ask medical assistants to wear light blue scrubs, junior nurses to wear ceil blue scrubs and senior nurses or doctors to wear royal blue uniforms. Navy blue scrubs are also prevalent in many healthcare settings due to their practicality and professional appearance. Beyond just aesthetics, the choice of navy blue as a uniform color is often backed by research into color psychology, which suggests that navy blue can evoke feelings of trust, reliability, and competence.

White: Symbol of Cleanliness

White is one of the most traditional scrubs colours. White scrubs convey cleanliness, sterility and professional. White scrubs are often seen in high-end clinics, dental practices and private health centres. However, white scrubs do have their downsides. Blood stains and other marks will show up clearly on the white fabric and the bright colour can cause eye strain.

Green: A Color of Precision

Green scrubs are a popular choice for surgeons and surgical staff. This is because green is the exact opposite of red on the colour wheel. Wearing green can actually help surgeons become more visually sensitive to the colour of blood, something that in turn can make operating easier.

Red: Women's Health

The colour red is closely associated with women’s health. As a result, red scrubs are most commonly seen on maternity, gynaecology and labour wards. A lot of medical professionals that work in these areas also wear scrubs in shades related to red, like pink, burgundy. These colours are often considered warm and welcoming, something that’s perfect for doctors and nurses bringing new life into the world.

Other Colors and Patterns: Personalization and Identity

There are also less common colors of medical uniforms, such as: purple, brown, black, etc. Of course, there are also printed or patterned medical uniforms that are widely used in many teams. While color meanings can vary, they often reflect broader themes of professionalism, comfort, and patient care.

If you’re unsure which colour scrubs are right for you, talk to your hospital or healthcare provider about their colour requirements, or take a look to see what shades your colleagues are wearing. Wish you can find the right color scrub uniforms.