Why uniform policies are becoming an infection control issue

CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: A Vet Times opinion piece is making a simple but pointed infection control argument: veterinary staff shouldn’t be wearing clinical uniforms to and from work, or out in public, if practices want to reduce contamination risks and protect professional standards. In the article, veterinary nurse Jane Davidson says uniforms should be worn only on practice premises as part of a broader, multimodal infection control approach, alongside basics such as hand hygiene and appropriate PPE. She also points to NHS Wales uniform guidance as a model for practices reviewing their own protocols. (vettimes.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the article lands at a time when infection prevention is getting more structured attention across the sector. RCVS-linked guidance says practices should have written infection control protocols and train all team members, while broader veterinary biosecurity guidance stresses dedicated clothing, PPE, and clear procedures to reduce contamination of personal clothing and movement between clean and contaminated areas. Vet Times has also previously argued that many practices still treat hygiene too narrowly as “cleaning,” despite rising patient throughput, more complex microbiological challenges, differences in how organisms respond to disinfectants, and practical risks from reservoirs such as biofilms and airborne spread. Human healthcare guidance is more mixed on the public risk from laundered uniforms, but it still emphasizes segregation of clean and used workwear, laundering at the highest suitable temperature, and special handling for contaminated clothing and scrubs. The practical takeaway for clinics is that uniform policies aren’t just about appearance, they’re part of a wider culture of infection control, accountability, and public trust. (vettimes.co.uk)

What to watch: Expect more practices to revisit written dress, laundry, and changing-room policies as infection control training and biosecurity standards continue to tighten across veterinary care, especially where teams are also reassessing cleaning, disinfection, and wider hygiene competence rather than treating uniforms as a standalone issue. (vettimes.co.uk)