For what situations is a red surgical scrub ideal?

I. The Unusual Impact of the Color Red

Bright red is a rarity in the operating room and is, in fact, strongly discouraged in most surgical attire protocols. This is because red is intrinsically linked to blood and alarm, which can cause visual confusion for surgical staff and increase stress in an environment that demands calm. The traditional standard of blue and green was established precisely to neutralize the eye strain caused by red during prolonged procedures.

II. Exceptional Uses of the Red Surgical Uniform

Despite its controversy, the red surgical scrub is used in very specific circumstances, where the main function is immediate identification and not the biosecurity of the sterile field:

Identifying Critical Roles: In some large hospitals, bright red may be assigned to trauma or emergency teams (code red). This color ensures that priority response personnel are visible and immediately locatable upon entering the unit.

Simulation or Non-Clinical Environments: In simulation rooms of medical schools or training centers, red may be used to distinguish students or instructors from a group, where the risk of biosafety is simulated.

III. The Professional Use of Wine or Burgundy (Bourgogne)

The elegant and professional alternative to bright red is wine or burgundy. This color maintains the distinction associated with red, but its dark and deep hue avoids visual aggression and a direct association with danger, making it a very popular choice in the private and specialized sectors.

High-End Specialties: The color Burgundy is strategically used to differentiate specialties that seek a level of exclusivity and seriousness, such as:

Cardiovascular Surgery or Neurosurgery: Color reinforces the image of complexity and precision.

Oncology: A sober color that conveys authority and commitment.

Medicine and Aesthetic Dentistry: Burgundy is a premium color that helps build a sophisticated and luxurious brand image, highly valued in high-end clinics.

Hierarchical Differentiation: The wine tone is often chosen to distinguish heads of service, coordinators, or senior resident physicians, marking a visual hierarchy within the team without the aggressiveness of pure red.

Practical Advantage: The dark tone of Burgundy is highly functional because it effectively conceals small stains or splashes, helping to maintain a more professional appearance throughout the shift.

IV. Psychological and Ethical Considerations

The choice of color in the operating room has subtle but important effects. While pure red is a stimulating color that can unnecessarily increase alertness, burgundy is perceived as a sober, stable, and authoritative color, without generating anxiety in the patient or their family. In consultation rooms and outpatient procedures, this shade achieves a perfect balance between style and professional seriousness.

The bright red surgical scrub set is a functional oddity, limited to emergency room identification. Its more professional and elegant alternative is wine or burgundy. This shade has become a strategic resource in modern medicine for identifying high-profile specialties and reinforcing a sober and sophisticated brand image in the competitive healthcare sector.