How many scrubs should a doctor really have?

When starting a residency or a new job in a clinic, the most important logistical question arises: how many scrubs should a doctor have to survive the week without compromising hygiene?

The answer is not a fixed number; it is a rotation strategy that depends on two crucial factors: your personal washing frequency and the risk of your work area.

I. The Golden Rule: Biosafety Dictates Daily Change

The first factor is non-negotiable. The most fundamental biosafety standard requires that every healthcare professional begin a shift in a clean uniform. Reusing scrubs overnight is an unhygienic practice that puts both the patient and the staff at risk.

This means that if you work 5 days a week, you need to have 5 clean uniforms ready to use. This is the starting point for calculating how many scrubs you need.

II. The Decisive Factor: How Often Do You Wash Clothes?

This is where your personal logistics determine the number of uniforms you should own.

Scenario 1: Daily Washing (The Ideal) If you have the discipline to wash your uniform every night when you get home, theoretically you could survive with just 2 or 3 sets (one worn, one being washed, and one spare). Risk: It's an exhausting system and leaves no room for emergencies (fluid spills, unexpected double shifts, or a day you forget to wash).

Scenario 2: Weekly Laundry (The Realistic One) This is the most common scenario. If you work 5 days (Monday to Friday) and only do laundry on the weekend, you need 5 sets (one for each day) PLUS 1 emergency set. Recommendation: 6 sets is the ideal number in this scenario to avoid the stress of running out of clean laundry on Friday.

Scenario 3: On-Call or Long Shift Work If you work 24-hour on-call shifts or double shifts, you should consider changing your uniform mid-shift for hygiene and comfort. Recommendation: In this case, 7 or 8 sets will give you the flexibility to have clean clothes for the entire week and an extra scrub for the shift change, without depending on the washing machine cycle.

III. How Many Scrubs Should a Doctor Have? The Inventory Formula

Based on the above, we can establish a clear range for most professionals who do laundry once or twice a week:

The Absolute Minimum: 3 Sets. Anything less than this is logistically risky and hygienically questionable.

Comfort Range (Ideal Recommendation): 5 to 7 Sets This inventory allows you to have a clean uniform for each day of the work week, plus one or two spares for emergencies or to rotate while the rest are in the laundry.

IV. Additional Considerations (Risk and Wear)

High-Risk Areas (Surgery, Emergency Room, ICU): In these areas, the probability of fluid contamination is high. It is recommended practice to keep one or two extra uniforms permanently stored in your locker for immediate change in case of a spill.

Extending the Lifespan: Having more scrubs in rotation is beneficial. If you only have 3 uniforms, each one will be washed more than 100 times a year. If you have 7, the washing frequency of each garment is reduced by half, slowing down wear and tear, fading, and keeping your uniforms in better condition for longer.

The question of how many scrubs a doctor should have is answered by their personal logistics and commitment to biosafety. Investing in a sufficient inventory (ideally 5-7 sets) is not a luxury, it's a professional necessity. It ensures you can always present yourself in a clean and professional uniform, protecting your image, your comfort, and the safety of your patients.