The question of what color scrubs caregivers wear does not have a simple answer because there is no single, mandated uniform color across the United States. In the context of professional healthcare, the term “caregiver” generally refers to non-licensed, direct patient support roles such as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Patient Care Technicians (PCTs), and home health aides. The specific color worn by these professionals is determined entirely by the individual employer, leading to wide variations in uniform policy.
No National Standard for Caregiver Scrub Colors
Scrub color requirements for healthcare staff are set by the employer, not by any state or federal regulation. Individual hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes create their own internal dress code policies, which can differ significantly even between facilities in the same city. These policies are dynamic and can change over time as healthcare systems merge or administration decides to rebrand. The lack of a centralized standard means a Certified Nursing Assistant who works in a large hospital system may wear navy blue, while a colleague at a nearby long-term care facility might wear hunter green.
Why Healthcare Facilities Use Color Coding
Healthcare organizations implement color-coding systems primarily to enhance patient safety and streamline operations. The immediate visual distinction allows patients, visitors, and other staff members to instantly identify a professional’s role without needing to read a name badge. This rapid identification is particularly useful in an emergency, ensuring the correct personnel can be located quickly.
Standardized uniforms also contribute to a sense of professional atmosphere. A cohesive color scheme projects an image of organization and authority, which can boost patient confidence and satisfaction scores. Color coding also supports infection control by ensuring staff wear designated attire in specific patient-care areas, minimizing the transfer of contaminants.
Typical Colors Worn by Direct Care Staff
The colors assigned to direct care staff are carefully selected to distinguish them from licensed professionals like Registered Nurses (RNs) and physical therapists. Since RNs often wear royal blue or dark navy, support roles like CNAs and PCTs are typically assigned a contrasting yet professional shade. These colors signal a role focused on direct personal care and support.
Colors Commonly Assigned to CNAs and Aides
Certified Nursing Assistants and other aides are frequently seen wearing shades such as burgundy, pewter, or hunter green. Navy blue is also a common choice for this group due to its professionalism and ability to conceal minor stains. Some facilities may opt for a lighter color like ceil blue or white to provide a clean and approachable appearance, particularly in settings where the focus is on daily living assistance.
Colors for Patient Care Technicians
Patient Care Technicians, who often perform a broader range of technical tasks than standard aides, may be assigned colors like teal or a specific shade of green, such as moss or olive. For example, some large hospital systems designate hunter green specifically for PCTs and Emergency Department Technicians. The choice is always to maintain a clear visual separation from nursing staff while still conveying a clinical role.
Standard Colors in Long-Term Care Settings
In contrast to the strict color segregation found in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities and nursing homes sometimes allow more flexibility. Staff may be permitted to wear certain colors like ceil blue or burgundy, but some facilities allow patterned scrub tops, especially when working with geriatric residents. This allowance is intended to create a warmer, less sterile environment, promoting a feeling of home for residents.
How Scrub Colors Vary by Facility Type
Acute care hospitals, which have a high volume of staff from numerous departments, typically enforce the strictest and most comprehensive color-coding systems. In these settings, every role, from phlebotomist to transport aide, is assigned a distinct color to ensure absolute clarity for a high turnover of patients.
Conversely, long-term care facilities and smaller private practice clinics often have more relaxed policies. A small physician’s office may simply require staff to wear any solid color scrub or a non-scrub uniform like a polo shirt and khaki pants. Home health agencies, where caregivers work in a client’s residence, frequently allow the most flexibility, sometimes only mandating a business-casual uniform or a specific branded top.
Beyond Color: Restrictions and Style Guidelines
Uniform policies extend well beyond the specific color to encompass style, brand, and accessory restrictions. Many facilities require that scrubs be a solid color only, prohibiting patterned tops or bottoms, which maintains a unified and professional appearance. Some organizations require staff to purchase a specific brand or style of scrub to ensure uniformity in fabric and shade. Caregivers must also adhere to strict rules regarding what they wear with their scrubs. Undershirts must often be a solid color, frequently white, black, or the exact color of the scrub top. Footwear is restricted to closed-toe, non-slip shoes for safety and infection control.