Why veterinary uniform policies are becoming an infection control issue

Veterinary teams are being urged to treat uniforms as part of infection control, not just dress code. In a Vet Times commentary, Jane Davidson argues that staff should wear uniforms only on practice premises and change before travelling to and from work, rather than stopping at shops, pubs, or human hospitals in clinical attire. The piece frames uniform use as one element of a broader, multimodal infection control approach, echoing long-standing NHS dress guidance that says staff should change out of uniform before leaving work where facilities are available and should not routinely be seen in public places in uniform. Veterinary infection control guidance from AAHA likewise says scrubs and lab coats shouldn’t be worn outside the work environment and should be laundered at least daily, or sooner if contaminated. (paperzz.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the issue is practical as much as reputational. AAHA notes that professional garb can act as a fomite, moving pathogens within a practice and into the community, and recommends onsite or specialized commercial laundering where possible because transport to homes or other facilities increases infection control risk. That matters in busy clinics managing parvovirus, dermatologic disease, gastrointestinal pathogens, or other zoonotic and hospital-associated risks, especially as higher patient throughput and routine preoperative antibiotic use can mask weak hygiene systems rather than fix them. Vet Times has also noted that infection control is often reduced to “cleaning,” even though real risk management depends on understanding how different bacteria, fungi, and viruses respond to disinfectants, and how biofilms and airborne spread can sustain contamination. A visible uniform policy can also support staff accountability and reassure pet parents that the practice takes biosecurity seriously. (aaha.org)

What to watch: Expect more practices to revisit changing-room access, laundry workflows, and written uniform policies as part of wider infection control and biosecurity planning, alongside closer attention to cleaning products, disinfection protocols, and other overlooked hygiene basics. (aaha.org)