According to OSHA rules, the employer must offer you a place to decon yourself and either wash or make arrangements to decon the soiled uniform.
Even specific requirements of water temperature.
There is no reason someone should be wearing a soiled uniform.
For those that do not feel that uniforms are important, this is the first image to patients and their families obtain from you. They do not know medicine or realize you can interpret WPW syndrome from V-tach, or be able to differentiate an EMT/ AEIOU with intubation skills patch. Hence they don't even know what intubation is... Heck, their impressed when you are able to take a B/P.
What does gain their trust is crisp, clean, well polished uniform. I have worked with idiots that barely could bandage a finger, but families was more impressed over the person in a nice uniform and friendly demeanor rather than medical knowledge. They do not know the difference.
Look at most troopers. There are very few states that do not require their troopers to present themselves in a very professional image. I know our's always look like they just walked out of a dry cleaners, even at 3 a.m...
What sickens me, is to see EMS in grubby dirty uniforms. Many of these are non-uniform type with their names or a Star of Life embrodied on some type of jacket, cap, T-shirt. Shirt tails hanging out or butt crack exposed. Many have no clue on what image they are presenting our profession. Bosting multiple patches (at least the lapel pins have decreased), yet appear unkept.
We have a policy and peer pressure to look professional at all times. Hence, one is required to carry additional uniforms. We have a washer and dryer at the base, as well as ironing boards with spray starch. Each station as well has shoe shine kits. that each employee pitches in an employee fund to purchase items. Shoes are to be shined after being skuffed or dirty.
Sure, it is reasonable one will get "dirty", but; to remain so is unexcusable as well potentially dangerous.
Employers, that really care for their employees will offer enough uniforms, and uniform allowances to maintain a decent uniform. As well as protective gear such as rain coats, and winter coats. It should be part of the employers responsibility, like the employee wearing it, to maintain and present in a positive image.
The way I look at it, if an employer is concerned about their business they will provide adequate and nice uniform allowance. It is their P.R. and image, as well it is their employee. The same for the employee. It is an image that is presented to the patient and others to gain trust, to display professionalism. If one does not care to even maintain that, doubtful they will care enough to maintain knowledge in providing health care.
R/r 911
