Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Health System is changing its uniform policy to ensure patients can identify registered nurses and other healthcare workers, according to The Daily Item.
Here are four things to know about the uniform policy changes.
1. The changes will start with RNs, but Geisinger will eventually develop uniform policies for physicians and other healthcare workers.
2. By Jan. 1, all registered nurses in Geisinger's eight hospitals, clinics and nursing home throughout 44 counties will wear the same color scrubs — pewter — with a sewn Geisinger logo and a name tag with "Registered Nurse" spelled out, according to the report. Some nurses will still wear dresses, and those types of uniforms will be available in pewter, according to the health system.
3. Geisinger's new RN uniform is the same color as what RNs at Camp Hill, Pa.-based Holy Spirit wear.
4. In explaining the reasoning behind the decision, Geisinger officials told The Daily Item the name badges currently identify the employee as an "R.N." or some other initials signifying their position, but patients don't always know what the initials mean. Therefore, this uniform policy change is intended to help patients identify the workers and enhance overall patient experience.
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