Purpose
The purpose of the Dress Code Policy is to prescribe college-level standards for professional attire are met by medical students when they are in clinical learning experiences including pre-clerkship clinical experiences, clerkship rotations and clinical electives. The policy also seeks to ensure that student attire does not pose a health or safety risk to patients, students or staff.
This policy is aligned with Schedule L of the Clinical Placement Agreement (CPA) which was developed by the Saskatchewan Academic Health Sciences Network and which went into effect on May 1, 2017. The CPA is a binding agreement between the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) formerly referred to as the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.
Principles
Responsibility: Medical students will make reasonable effort to ensure that they meet with requirements of the Dress Code Policy and will seek support from the Office of student Affairs if they are unable to meet a requirement.
Definitions
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) formerly referred to as the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs): as defined by The Provincial Health Authority Act, provide most health services in Saskatchewan, either directly or through affiliated health care organizations.
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) is responsible for the planning, organization, delivery and evaluation of cancer care and related health services throughout the province.
Scope of this Policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate students registered in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program at the University of Saskatchewan irrespective of the geographically distributed site/campus to which they are currently assigned.
Policy
1.0 Introduction
Students will wear attire deemed to meet the professional expectations and safety requirements of their educational program and their host SHA/SCA. Where appropriate and necessary, students will follow the protocols of individual departments, units or services that have specific dress code requirements.
2.0 Footwear worn during a placement
- Must be closed toe and closed heel.
- Must be clean and in good condition.
- Must have soles that are non-marking and non-slippery.
3.0. Hair during a placement
- Should be clean and well groomed.
- If long, should be tied or pinned back in patient care areas.
4.0 Beards and mustaches during the placement
- Must be clean, trimmed and well groomed.
5.0 Fingernails during a placement
- Must be clean and trimmed short.
- Shall not have nail polish.
- Are not permitted to include artificial/gel nails/nail extensions in patient care areas since they are a source for harboring and spreading infection.
6.0 Jewelry during a placement
- Cannot present a safety hazard to patients and cannot interfere with job duties.
- Can include plain, flat, smooth rings such as wedding bands.
- Cannot include rings with exposed stones for infection and safety reasons.
- Can include chains if worn inside of clothing.
- Can include small stud like earrings.
- Will not include bracelets unless a medical ID bracelet
- Will only include watches if required by the education program, cleaned after each shift, and worn high on the arm or taken off during hand washing.
7.0 Piercings during a placement
- May include a facial piercing if the jewelry is small and stud-like and is securely fastened.
- Shall not include piercings on the hand or wrist for infection control reasons.
- That are unhealed or infected will be covered and contained before commencing duty.
8.0 Tattoos during placement
- Shall be covered if deemed inappropriate by the unit or service manager.
- That are unhealed or infected will be covered and contained before commencing duty.
9.0 Cosmetics during placement
- Can be worn in moderation.
- Shall not include any perfume, cologne or other scented body products.
10.0 Personal hygiene
- Students should practice good personal hygiene, including control of body odor and cleanliness, in order to promote a positive work environment and infection control.
11.0 Photo identification
- Photo identification badges must be worn at all times during a placement in an SHA/SCA facility. The photo identification badge must be worn above the waist, with picture and name clearly visible to patients, staff and visitors.
12.0 Uniforms if required must be
- Changed daily.
- Changed during a shift if contaminated with blood or bodily fluid. The SHA/SCA will provide decontamination services if appropriate and provide the student with an alternative uniform for the remainder of that shift.
- Changed into on site and changed out of before leaving the facility.
- Deposited in an appropriate laundry bin for laundering services if the uniform was provided by the SHA/SCA.
13.0 Clothing must
- Be appropriate to a student's profession.
- Be clean, in good repair and appropriate in fit.
- Cover midriff and lower back.
- Not be low cut or tight (at the discretion of the instructor or unit manager).
- Fully cover undergarments.
- Clothing shall be cleaned daily, and changed during shift if contaminated with blood or bodily fluid.
14.0 Sweaters, lab coats or warm-up jackets
- Gowns/ protective wear should be clean, appropriate in fit and changed daily. Sweaters, lab coats and warm-up jackets should not be worn in patient rooms unless they have a ¾ length or shorter sleeve, or can be rolled up to ¾ length.
15.0 Gowns/ protective wear
- Gowns/ protective wear provided on a unit shall not be worn off the unit or for any other purpose than it was intended.
16.0 Consequences of Non-compliance
- Students deemed to be in violation of this policy by the education program or the SHA/SCA may be asked to leave the clinical placement until they are able to meet the dress code requirements.
Responsibilities
The Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, is responsible for providing oversight to the overall administration of the Dress Code Policy.
The Manager, Undergraduate Medical Education, with the assistance of the Undergraduate Medical Education Office, is responsible for the implementation, monitoring, maintenance, and evaluation of the Dress Code Policy.
Non-compliance
Instances or concerns of non-compliance with the Dress Code Policy should be brought to the attention of the Vice-Dean, Education or the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, within the College of Medicine.
Procedures
The Manager, Undergraduate Medical Education, provides overall stewardship to the standard operating procedures associated with the Dress Code Policy.