Dress Requirements of the Patient Care Joint Commission

Working in the health care field entails certain dress requirements. These requirements -- set by the Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs -- are meant not only to keep up professional appearances, but also for safety and hygienic reasons. Strict rules apply for wearing paper or plastic sanitary gowns in certain situations and for what to wear underneath gowns.

Gowns

• Gowns are to be worn when entering a room if any contact between your clothes and the patient is anticipated. Gowns are also to be worn when contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or contact with any equipment near the patient is anticipated. Gowns must be put on prior to entry of the room and must be removed before exiting the room.

Under Gowns

• Business casual dress is expected to be worn underneath gowns and when an individual is not wearing a gown.

Miscellanious

• When removing the gown upon exiting the room, proper hand washing and other hygiene is expected.