TITLE/DESCRIPTION:
Employee Dress Code
DEPARTMENT:
Hospital
PERSONNEL:
All Hospital Employees
EFFECTIVE DATE:
July 1997
REVISED:
1/99, 7/01, 8/01, 4/04, 6/05, 7/06, 2/08, 2/09, 2/10, 3/12, 7/14, 7/16
GENERAL GUIDELINES-ALL EMPLOYEES
Each employee of the hospital is expected to use good taste when selecting properly fitting
apparel to wear on the job. Extreme styles are inappropriate and unprofessional. Definition of
acceptable styles, proper fit; appropriate jewelry or makeup, and suitability of hairstyle are
determined by the department head/nurse manager or administration. If any part of an
employee’s apparel or jewelry interferes with job performance or safety, then it is unacceptable.
Employees in many areas wear uniforms unique to their department. Department
heads/nurse managers are responsible for providing specific departmental uniform
guidelines beyond those discussed in this dress code.
Seasonal Outfits: (Halloween, Christmas, etc.) Must be approved by administration. No
department heads should wear Halloween costumes.
Clothing: All blouses or shirts should be tucked in unless specifically designed to be worn out.
Undergarments should be closely coordinated with outer garments so they don’t "show through"
or show in any other way. Employees should be able to perform their jobs without exposure of
undergarments. Female employees must always wear bras and, if a blouse is sheer, a camisole as
well.
Denim material of any nature may not be worn.
Scrub Suits: Scrub suits must be kept neat and clean. Straight-leg pants must cover shoe tops,
and do not drag the ground.. Pants with elastic cuffs at the ankles are also acceptable. Tops and
pants must match.
Lab coats may be worn as designated by the department head. These must be clean, pressed, free
of stains, and professional in appearance.
Employees who wear scrubs must wear a long sleeve white lab coat or a long sleeve matching
scrub jacket over their scrub suit when they are out of the department or off the unit for any
reason. Long scrub gowns and patient gowns may not be used as out-of-department scrub coverups.
Long sleeve shirts may be worn with scrubs as long as they are cotton or cotton blend, are all
white, and are clean. No thermal type shirts will be permitted. No visible advertising is allowed
on shirts.
Jewelry: Only one watch should be worn.
No buttons, badges, pins, stickers, novelties, messages, arm bands, or clips may be worn unless
they were issued by the hospital or represent a membership in a professional health organization.
I.D. Badges: Must be worn at all times on the outermost top garment with name and title in
plain- view above waist. In an effort to maintain a professional look at all times I.D. badges
should not be altered in any way. Employee photo should be visible at all times, pictures of
children, pets, etc should not be displayed on the badges.
Makeup/Hairstyles: Cosmetics should be used in moderation. Hairstyles should be
conservative, neat and well-trimmed. Excessive hair colors are not allowed (Examples – orange,
extreme red, blue, purple)
Body Piercing: Not allowed while on duty (examples, nose, eyebrow, tongue, etc.)
Tattoos must be covered.
Proper hygiene must be maintained at all times. Failure to do so will result in the employee
being sent home to correct the problem.
Chewing Gum/Tobacco/Snuff: Not allowed while on duty at SMH.
Male Employees: Men should wear long pants, dress shirt, and tie unless they work in a
uniformed department or unless otherwise stipulated by the department head/nurse manager. No
earrings are to be worn by men.. Beards are permitted but must be neat and well-trimmed at all
times.
Beepers: Beepers supplied by SMH are the only ones an employee is allowed to wear while on
duty. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the department manager.
Cell Phones/I Pods: Cell phone usage will be permitted for registered/licensed clinical staff
only while engaged in patient care. Clinical staff must utilize Springhill Medical Center’s secure
messaging solution for any patient related messaging/communications.
Employees who do not adhere to the above standards shall be subject to disciplinary action up to
and including termination of employment. If an employee loses their mobile device-or it is
stolen-that is utilizing secure messaging communication then please refers to the Portable Media
Security Policy.
Perfume / Cologne: Not allowed
Approved Departmental T-shirts may only be worn on Fridays.
NON-PATIENT AREAS
Fingernails & Polish: Nail polish is allowed in the standard shades of red, pink, peach, etc.
Blues, glitter, designs, and the like is not permitted. Proper length is determined by each
department head/nurse manager in conjunction with the Infection Control Manager.
Jewelry: No more than two earrings may be worn on each ear. Earrings may hang one inch
below the lobe. One bracelet per arm worn on the wrist is allowable. Necklaces are limited to
two per employee. Rings are limited to two on each hand with the most appropriate being
wedding rings, class rings, or signature rings. Wedding/engagement sets may count as one ring.
Shoes and Hosiery: Tennis shoes, sandals (flip flop type) are not allowed. Open toe shoes are
allowed in non-patient care areas only.
Clothing: Women should wear simple cut dresses, skirts and blouses. Dresses/skirts must be no
shorter than 3 inches above the knee. Sleeveless dresses are allowed when material covering the
shoulder is at least 3 inches in width. Spaghetti straps are not allowed. If pants are worn, they
should be dress pants only. Capri pants, skorts, shorts, stirrups and leggings are not allowed.
Denim and sweat material are not allowed. Crop tops, tank tops, exposed cleavage, low cut tops,
high split dresses, t-shirts, and exposed midriffs are not allowed.
PATIENT CARE AREAS INCLUDING SURGERY
Uniforms: Style and color is determined by department head. All nursing staff must be in wine
or wine/white depending on departments. Skirts or pants are allowed. Scrub tops are the only
accepted top. No white shirt allowed; must be uniform scrub top. Fleece is not worn as party of
surgery uniform.
I.D. Badges: Must be worn at all times on the outermost top garment with name and title in plan
view. If your department has locators then they must be worn at all times. It is the staff’s
responsibility to inform manager when their locator isn’t functioning properly. Failure to report
locator not working to manager may result in disciplinary action.
Shoes & Hosiery: No open-toe shoes or high heels may be worn in patient areas. Shoe covers
may not be worn out of the department for any reason. Tennis shoes are allowed and must meet
the following guidelines:
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Approved shoe colors are solid white, black, dark blue, grey or dark brown. No open toe
shoes or bright colors. No Croc like shoes.
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Clean and worn only for work
Entirely laced
Worn with white socks when employee is wearing pants, with white hose when worn
with a skirt or dress
No droopy or dirty socks
Shoes must be leather or vinyl (no canvas)
Fingernails & Polish: There will be no fingernail polish, including clear or sealer, or press-on
silk, or sculptured nails permitted in patient care areas including surgery. Nails should be no
longer than ¼ inch in length and properly trimmed.
Body Piercing: Not allowed while on duty (examples, nose, eyebrow, tongue, etc.)
Jewelry: Rings should be limited to one finger on each hand with the most appropriate being
wedding rings, class rings or signature rings. Wedding/engagement sets may as one ring.
Earrings should be studs only; no hanging earrings. No more than two earrings per ear.
Necklaces are limited to one per employee. No bracelets except medical ID bracelets may be
worn. Surgical suite should confine jewelry or it should be removed.
Hair Styles: Shoulder length or longer hair must be pulled back and secured. Hair should not
cover eyes or obstruct vision. Excessive colors are not allowed. . Beards are permitted but must
be neat and well-trimmed at all times.
Surgical Suite Areas: Hair must be covered. Any employee who enters OR must wear a mask
when open sterile items and equipment are present. Mask must not be dropped around neck or
pushed upon the cap, then used again. The mask shall cover the nose and mouth entirely and is
secured to prevent venting at the sides. Laser mask and glasses should be used during laser
cases. Mask must be changed after each case or when moist. Engineering and Biomed
employees entering the O. R. for maintenance purposes may wear a white tyvek suit over their
clothes.
Surgical Caps, Hairnets, etc.: These items may not be worn outside the department (except
dietary) for any reason.
Protective Gear: (Plastic , gowns, mask, aprons, coats, gloves, etc.) Not acceptable wear outside
the department.
Perfume / Cologne: Not allowed
THIS DRESS CODE POLICY APPLIES TO ALL EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS IN THE
AUDITORIUM, INCLUDING ORIENTATION.
The following is the approved dress code for Patient Care Services Departments as of ,August 1,
2008.
Service Line
Uniform Color
Monogram Color
Care Techs
Purple Scrubs
White
Runners
Unit Secretaries
Navy Pants White Shirt
Navy
Monitor Techs
optional: Navy Jacket
All RNs excluding ER,
Wine Pants, White Top
Wine
ICU, Surgical Services,
L&D
ER, ICU, Surgical
Wine Scrubs
White
Services, L&D
The monogram (below) will be over the left chest pocket
* Employees may have their name monogrammed on the right side of the scrubs.