Dress Code Policy
Policy Code: P005-2012
This documents contains 7 pages
Dress Code Policy Policy Code: P005-2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SN. SUBJECT PAGE
1. PURPOSE 5
2. POLICY STATEMENT 5
3. SCOPE 7
4. TARGET AUDIENCE 7
5. RESPONSIBILITY 7
6. REFERENCES 7
DGPHE Page 2 Version 1 Issue Date Sep 2012
Dress Code Policy Policy Code: P005-2012
ISSUE HISTORY
Changes:
Dates are indicated for issuance, Review and Approval.
Issue Description By Date
0 First draft Dr. Hamad Al-Adawi 1/9/2012
1 Draft for review Mr. Rashid Al-Habsi 10/9/2012
2 Draft for review Mr. Saif Al-Nabhani
Distribution: All Establishments Hospitals Medical Clinics
Diagnostic Centres Polyclinics Medical Centres
Rehabilitation Centres Occupational Health
Comp & Alternative Clinics Rejuvenation Centre
Custodian/Author Dr. Hamad Date: 1/9/2012 Signature:
Al-Adawi
Authorization DGPHE Date: Signature:
DGPHE Page 3 Version 1 Issue Date Sep 2012
Dress Code Policy Policy Code: P005-2012
ABBREVIATIONS:
DGPHE: Directorate General of Private Health Establishments
PHE: Private Health Establishment
DGPHE Page 4 Version 1 Issue Date Sep 2012
Dress Code Policy Policy Code: P005-2012
PURPOSE
All health care providers are expected to maintain acceptable standards of personal
grooming and present a neat, professional appearance at all times. This policy provides
direction to staff in promoting and enhancing a professional image and maintaining the
control of infection.
POLICY STATEMENT
Directorate General of Private Health Establishments (DGPHE) mandates that all
private health establishments (PHE) must have Dress Code as per evidence based best
practice examples and recognized standards for their employees.
Employees of the PHE must comply with the Dress Code requirements of the health
establishments.
Health care employees' appearance should convey an image of competence and
seriousness of purpose that inspires confidence in patients, visitors, fellow staff
members and to the public.
Health care facility management and Employees must be sensitive to the local culture,
religion, tradition and values. Common sense and decency should always prevail.
DGPHE encourages health care employees to follow Good Practice Guidelines and
examples as stated below (based on literature reviews and empirical evidence):
o Always wear clear identifiers (uniform and name badge) at work.
o Change into a clean uniform at the start of each shift
o Change into and out of uniform at work.
o Cover uniform completely when travelling to and from work.
o Clothing should be clean and in good repair.
o Clothing must not be sheer and/or revealing
o Change immediately if uniform or clothes become visibly soiled or
contaminated.
o Wash uniforms at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric.
o PHE to provide sufficient uniforms for the recommended laundry practice
o Surgical scrub clothing is not to be worn outside the procedure/clinical area
except in emergencies. Fresh scrub clothing must be put on prior to re-entering
the operating room whenever old ones have been worn outside that area. It is
not appropriate to wear hospital-issued scrubs outside of the hospital.
o Shoes should be appropriate to the work being performed and should be non-
noise producing in patient areas (recommended soft-soled, closed toe shoes).
o Personal hygiene should be maintained.
o Keep finger nails short and clean.
o Tie long hair back off the collar.
o Excessive fragrances or smell of smoke not permitted
DGPHE Page 5 Version 1 Issue Date Sep 2012
Dress Code Policy Policy Code: P005-2012
o The use of jewellery should not be excessive and should not unreasonably draw
attention to the wearer. Jewellery that would pose a safety issue to the wearer
or others is not permitted.
Precautions taken to reduce the risk of cross-infection:
o When in direct patient contact or when splashing with blood/body fluid is
anticipated, the use of disposable plastic aprons should be worn in order to
prevent contamination of clothing.
o When it is necessary to wash soiled uniforms at home, it is advisable to
place them directly into the washing machine and launder them on the
hottest cycle that the uniform will tolerate (usually 60oC cotton cycle).
Uniforms taken home for washing should not be stored or washed with
soiled items of family laundry.
DGPHE discourages health care employees of the following Poor Practices:
o Go shopping or undertake similar activities in public, wearing uniform.
o Wear uniform sloppily – e.g. cardigan on duty, or uniform dress without
hosiery.
o Wear numerous badges or other adornments.
o Wear neck-ties (other than bow-ties) when providing patient care.
o The obvious absence or presence of undergarments
o Wear false nails for direct patient care.
o Wear excessive jewellery (necklaces, visible piercings and multiple earrings).
Where earrings are worn, they should be plain studs.
Violation of above good practice standards and not abiding by the dress code of
the health care facility will result in appropriate corrective measures, and disciplinary
penalties. All concerned must comply with this policy. Conflicts with the health
facility dress code policy should be referred to Human Resources of the facility.
DGPHE Page 6 Version 1 Issue Date Sep 2012
Dress Code Policy Policy Code: P005-2012
SCOPE
The standards of this policy are to be complied with by staff while they are employed in
any private health care facility, during their regularly scheduled work times, as well as
during any returns to the health care facility ("call", extra work hours).
TARGET AUDIENCE
The policy is applicable to all health care providers and staff working in a private health
establishment, including students, interns etc.
RESPONSIBILITY
Human Resources department / Administration at the private health establishment is
responsible for the administration, implementation and maintenance of the policy.
Health establishments’ employees should be compliant with the policy.
DGPHE will audit and monitor for policy compliance.
REFERENCES
1- Health Authority – Abu Dhabi: Dress Code: Good Practice Guidelines
Revised Feb 2010
DGPHE Page 7 Version 1 Issue Date Sep 2012
