What is the proper Central Supply Attire?

• A. Lab coats and gloves
• B. Gowns and scrubs
• C. Casual clothing
• D. Uniforms with badges

Answer: (B)

Having attire that acts as a clean, protective barrier is essential in central supply to prevent contamination of sterile and clean items. Gowns and scrubs meet this need because they provide a dedicated, easily laundered uniform that protects street clothing from contact with instruments and materials being processed. Scrubs serve as the everyday work uniform—lightweight, easy to change between shifts, and designed to be cleaned thoroughly—while gowns add an extra layer of protection when handling items that may be contaminated or when there's a splash risk. This combination helps minimize transfer of contaminants into sterile areas and keeps the processing environment safer.

Lab coats and gloves are important PPE for specific tasks, but they aren’t the standard base attire for central supply. Casual clothing isn’t suitable due to lack of protective barriers, and uniforms with badges don’t address the need for a healthcare-specific, easily cleaned, and barrier-protective ensemble.