Lab coats are an essential part of the medical profession. Whether it's a doctor, pharmacist or lab technician; every one that works with chemicals, biohazard and bodily fluids are required to wear lab coats for their own protection and safety. But what constitute as a good lab coat? Here we will unveil the characteristics behind high-quality lab coats.
FIT
The first characteristic of a high- quality lab coat is that it should fit well. Your lab coat should be long enough to cover your backside, but it shouldn't be so long that it would drag on the floor if you're not wearing heels.
The sleeves of your lab coat should offer completer coverage of your arm comfortably without bunching up at the elbow. The sleeves of your lab coat should also extend beyond your wrist for maximum safety and comfort.
SIZE
No lab coat can fulfill its purpose if it not worn according to your size. Lab coats need to fit just right in order to offer complete protection and keep you safe from any chemical spills or bodily fluid splatter. Your lab coat should neither be tight fitting on you, nor should it be completely loose. Tight fitting or snug lab coats will not only restrict your movement but they will make your shifts very uncomfortable. Loose fitting lab coats on the other hand can become dangerous and hazardous in the medical environment.
FUNCTIONALITY
For a medical professional, lab coats are a part of their ensemble and because you have to wear your lab coat throughout the day, it is crucial for high-quality lab coat to be functional.
The functionality of a lab coat depends on how many pockets it has. The minimum number of pockets that your lab coat should have is 2. These pockets are large and should hold a few of you basic instruments like a penlight, notepad, pen etc. You should be able to easily reach these pockets while wearing your gloves or while both your hands are occupied on a task.
DURABILITY
Because lab coats are worn for long periods of time, are the first to catch any spillage as well as bodily fluids they need to be washed often. This is why it is important for the lab coats to be durable.
The durability of high-quality lab coats is seen in their wear and tear process. Washing lab coats often may cause pilling, thinning and discoloration of fabric. Lab coats made form high-quality fabrics last longer and maintain their clean and neat look longer.
SPECIAL FIT
The makers of high-quality lab coats keep in mind who they are catering to. The lab coats they manufacture are styled according to the necessities of the male and female figures. For example, lab coats made from high-quality materials would be made according to the physical shape requirements of a body. This means that while lab coats for men are straight, long, and boxy; on the other hand, lab coats made for women are tailored to sit below the hips and have a wider cut along the chest as compared to men's.
COMPLIANCE
Whether the high-quality lab coat you wear is plain white or colored, it needs to comply with the rules of your medical institution and the industry. Usually the rules that are followed during the manufacturing of lab coats are:
- The material used to make the lab cats should be flame-resistant.
- The material used to make the lab coat should be chemical-resistant.
Manufacturers that make high-quality lab coats always keep these rule in mind when making lab coats for the purpose of functionality as well as the safety of the medical professional wearing it.
Certain medical institutions also offer high-quality lab coats for specific events and occasions. Such lab coats are manufactured according to the needs and requirements of the event. They might be a certain color, or have custom embroidery on it. Take a look at the lab coat you are wearing at your next conference, chances are they were customized with some personal touches to comply with the needs of the event for example the lab coats might have your name and the logo of your institution embroidered on them. The customization done on these high-end lab coats not only personalize them but they also make for a very stylish fit.
CONCLUSION
The science behind creating high-quality lab coats is simple and unique. While all lab coats may look the same, not all are made from high quality materials. This means that not only do high-quality lab coats make the lab coats look good when worn, but they also keep you safe and protected while you work.