Nursing dress code policy - Oakwood Healthcare System

Nursing AdministrativePolicy and ProcedurePolicy Number: 123 Page 1 of 4Effective Date: May, 2009Approved by NEC: 04-26-09Review Date:Revised Date:Supersedes Policy Dated: OHS OHMC-Dearborn Oakwood Heritage Hospital Oakwood Annapolis Hospital Oakwood SouthshoreTITLE:DRESS CODE POLICY – NURSING DIVISION(Registered Nurses/LPNs) Ambulatory ____________ LTC __________________ Department Nursing Other _________________ Addenda/AddendumI. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To provide information regarding appropriate attire and appearancefor personnel in the Nursing Department/Patient Care Services.II.GENERAL POLICY:A. The priority of the Nursing Division of Oakwood Healthcare System is providing qualitypatient and family centered care. The patient’s and public’s confidence in the quality ofpatient care is promoted by appropriate appearance and demeanor. Physical appearance,verbal communication skills and behavior all contribute to the patient’s perception of the carereceived.B. It is the expectation of each staff member to maintain an appropriate professional appearancein compliance with the OHS and Division’s dress code policy.C. The individual Hospital Nursing Department has the administrative accountability to assurethat the dress code is well defined, maintained and enforced.D. All employees must wear their identification badges above the waistline and as specified inthe Human Resources policy #407.a. School and professional pins may be worn by licensed personnel only. All other pinsmust meet Human Resource policy #407.E. Habitual failure to comply with the dress code as established by the Nursing Division will begrounds for progressive corrective action.a. Initial Counselingb. Verbal Warningc. Written Warning 1 & Send Homed. Written Warning 2e. Suspensionf. Discharge

Nursing Administrative Policy and ProcedureDress CodePage 2F. When management is providing direct patient care, they will adhere to the Nursing Divisiondress code.III.PROCEDURE:A. General Patient Care Dress Code Requirements.1. All uniform attire will be clean, well fitted, in good repair, and pressed as consistent witha professional image.a. RNs and LPNs are to wear navy uniform top and bottom (pants/skirt) at alltimes.1. Top or bottom may not have colored piping2. Buttoned navy uniform cover-up and bottom are considered a uniform3. Navy uniform tops may have under shirts that are long sleeve, short sleevein white or navy. They may be mock turtle necks, turtle necks, crewnecks and/or polo collars.4. Uniform Dress and Skirt lengths are to be appropriate for sitting, stoopingor bending, knee length or below.5. Uniform Slacks must be ankle length.6. Uniform tops must have short, ¾ or full-length sleeves. (sleeveless is notacceptable)b. Uniform jacket/coat of navy or white may be worn over the navy uniform topand bottom.c. Only uniform jacket/coat of navy or white may be worn over hospital providedscrubs.d. No print clothing, uniform cover up, jackets or coat unless otherwise designatedfor specific organization and/or Hospital sanctioned special events is acceptableper HR Policy 407e. Undergarments are to be worn at all times and are not to be visible through theuniform.2. White, Navy, or Black shoes are to be worn at all times.a. Shoes must be clean and quiet when walking in the patient care area.b. Shoes must provide for personal safety, therefore slippers, sandals, soft plasticCroc’s or croc like, open toed or shoes with high heels are not permitted.c. Only corresponding colored shoelaces are to be worn.d. Tennis shoes are to be primarily white but may have some reflective/color.3. White, Navy, Black or flesh hose or socks are to be worn at all times.4. Wearing of isolation and patient gowns by hospital personnel is not permitted (exception:see Isolation policy).5. Hair is to be kept clean and maintained in such a manner as to avoid contact with thepatients during delivery of care. Consistent with HR Policy 407.a. Long (shoulder length or longer) hair is to be secured away from the face and offthe shoulders in a pony tail or bun.

Nursing Administrative Policy and ProcedureDress CodePage 3b. Hair is to be covered by a disposable surgical cap or hood in the OperatingRoom or Delivery Room.c. Beards, mustaches and sideburns must be neat and trimmed.6. Excessive make-up and fragranced perfumes are not permitted.7. Jewelry selection/ornamentation shall reflect concern for appearance, appropriateness andsafety of both the patient and employee. Consistent with HR Policy 407.8. Body Sculping, piercing’s, tattoos must be limited and maintained consistent with HRPolicy 407.9. Hand and nail hygiene (see Infection Control, Hand Hygiene and Surgical ScrubGuidelines policy #202).B. Care Management, Quality Coordinators, Infection Control Practitioners, & ClinicalAdministration/Manager Requirements.1. Clean street clothes and shoes meeting Dress Code HR 407 is expected.2. Only white lab jacket/coats are to be used as a cover up for street clothes.C. Uniform Expectations1. Designated areas are required to wear hospital attire as outlined above.2. Effective September 1, 2009 the following will apply for color of uniform to be worn:a. Registered Nurses and LPN’s – Navy Blueb. Nursing Extern’s – Navy Bluec. No prints will be acceptable for warm up jackets or undershirts.3. Uniform Requirements by UnitUnitsInpatient Medical SurgicalInpatient Critical Care/NICUInpatient IMC/PCU/ProgressiveCare UnitsPediatric Care UnitInterim Stay UnitObservation/Short Stay UnitEmergency/Triage DepartmentCardiac Cath LabsInterventional Radiology/IRRCancer CenterInfusion ServicesLDR/LDRP/OB TriageMother/Baby & AntepartumHemodialysisUniform ColorNavyNavyNavyNavyNavyNavyNavyHospital Provided Surgical ScrubHospital Provided Surgical ScrubNavyNavyHospital Provided Surgical ScrubNavyHospital Provided Surgical Scrub

Nursing Administrative Policy and ProcedureDress CodePage 4Units (continued)OR/PAS/PACU/POHAManagers in Direct Clinical CareAsst. Clinical Managers in DirectClinical CareDirectors in Direct Clinical CareEmployee Health Nursing StaffEducators in Direct Clinical CareUniform ColorHospital Provided Surgical ScrubNavyNavyNavyNavyNavyApproved: OHS Nursing Shared Leadership Council 04/26/09OHS Nursing Executive Council 04/26/09OHS President’s & Operations Council 04/27/09Endorsement:OHS HR Directors CouncilPOLICY SOURCE:APPROVAL BY:Nursing AdministrationNursing Executive CouncilSignature:Title:Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing OfficerDate: 04-26-2009