A white coat which is popularly known as a laboratory coat or a doctor white coat, is a knee-length overcoat which is worn by professionals who work in the medical industry or those who work in the laboratory named as lab technicians. This white coat acts as a protective coat and prevents their street cloth from spoiling. Apart from that it works as a simple uniform for people who are a part of the medical profession.
Why is it necessary to use a Lab Coat?
For nearly a century, the white coat has been the preeminent symbol for medical practitioners. For anyone seeing a person in white coat would assume he/she is a doctor by profession. The tradition of wearing white coats began in the late 1800s, when educated and highly qualified surgeons, followed by physicians quickly, began wearing white lab coats to separate themselves from those attempting to pawn off supernatural cures and who did not practice traditional, evidence-based medicine.
White coat rituals have recently become popular among students entering medical school. In the late 1800s, the contemporary white coat was introduced to medicine as a sign of cleanliness. The lab coat is constructed of white or very light colour cotton, linen, a cotton polyester blend that can be cleaned and washed thoroughly at high temperatures and is simple to detect if it is clean.
Things to consider before you buy a Lab Coat
Lab coats, like all other materials of apparel, have undergone significant evolution over time and has become the most crucial part of lab supply in the medical industry. These lab coats are a mark of respect and trust, and they have come to represent the profession as a whole.
In the current scenario and industry trend one can choose from a wide range of lab coats in a variety of styles, lengths and materials. Similarly, lab coats come in a variety of styles, length, each with its own cut or a pattern, amount of pockets, closure, buttons, fabric, and other features.
Mainly it is important to understand that not all lab coats are the same, and they're not all prepared in the same way. A professional's choice of lab coat is purely based on their job requirements, comfort and need. Besides that, pockets, openings, access to trouser pockets, and stain or wrinkle resistance are all significant factors to consider and depend on job requirement or profession.
Types of Lab Coats:
Long white Lab Coat / Doctor White Coat -
These kinds of laboratory coats come in different sizes ranging from 36 to 42 inches in length and it usually reaches up to the wearer's knee. Also such kinds of lab coats are witnessed for providing outstanding spill, contamination, and bacteria protection.
Chemists, pharmacists, and others who work in pathological laboratories prefer wearing these kinds of lab coats.
Usually these kinds of laboratory coats are often shorter in length and range from 28 to 35 inches in length. These white lab coats are about mid-thigh length.
Tall lab coats are distinguished by the addition of 2 inches to the length and sleeve. This is perfect for those medical people with lengthy arms.
Consultation lab Coat
Consultation lab coats are generally the doctors coat as most of the doctors wear it during their consultation rounds. These lab coats are very much similar to standard lab coats. Women nowadays wear their lab coats in a variety of ways to give them a fashionable and feminine appearance.
Fashion laboratory Coat
For a flattering silhouette, these lab coats have a slim fit with fashionable elements like princess seams, back belts, darts, and many more combinations. These kinds of lab jackets have a beautiful drape and flatter the physique of a professional wearing it.
Coloured laboratory coats nowadays have become more increasingly fashionable as the medical community's standards have evolved and enhanced. Coloured lab coats are becoming more common and trend in the medical settings because they seem impressive and appealing and one can differentiate by job profession.
Importance of Lab Coat?
Lab coat is the part of the PPE -Personal Protective Equipment kit as it is not only used by medical practitioners but also made mandatory for aspiring medical students in the labs.
The while lab coats are useful in the scientific lab and for the medical professionals in many following reasons:
- Small chemical splashes, any accidental contact protection for the skin and clothing.
- In the uncertain event of a spill or splash of hazardous material, the lab coat acts as a removable barrier.
- Outside of a sterile setting, it prevents and slows the spread of contamination.
The fundamental and main function of a lab coat is to protect one’s body (and clothing) from harm while handling chemical risks, also when spills happen, explosions, any emergency fire situations and few other unforeseen events can occur inside the laboratory.
Also Read: A list of glassware equipment for high school chemistry lab
