Why uniform policy is becoming an infection control issue

Veterinary teams are being urged to treat uniforms as part of infection control, not just professional presentation. In a Vet Times commentary, Jane Davidson argues practice staff should change out of work clothing before travelling home or stopping at shops, pubs, or human healthcare settings, positioning “uniforms only on practice premises” as one layer in a broader infection control strategy. That view aligns with wider veterinary and healthcare guidance: the RCVS-hosted OAHN infection prevention resource says dedicated hospital attire should not be worn outside the work environment, and AAHA’s infection control guidelines note that professional garb can act as a fomite, carrying pathogens within the clinic and into the community. (vettimes.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is less about optics than risk management. Higher patient throughput, more complex procedures, and persistent antimicrobial resistance concerns have all raised the stakes for everyday hygiene, a point Vet Times has highlighted before in its broader reporting on practice hygiene. Dedicated clothing, on-site or appropriate commercial laundering, and clearer staff policies can help reduce cross-contamination between clinical areas, vehicles, homes, and public spaces. It also protects trust: even where evidence on uniforms worn off-site is nuanced in human healthcare, public perception of hygiene and professionalism still matters when a practice is scrutinized after an infection control lapse. (vettimes.com)

What to watch: Expect more practices to formalize written dress, laundering, and changing-room policies as infection prevention protocols are updated and staff training becomes more standardized. (knowledge.rcvs.org.uk)