Five reasons why your practice should have a dress code.

If you have ever visited Disney World or Disneyland, or stayed at a luxury hotel, I am sure that the staff impressed you with their outstanding level of customer service. But, did you also notice some of the “little” details, such as the uniforms worn by the staff? Even if you missed it, a dress code is clearly part of the presentation (the “show”) for guests.

As a former practice administrator (and now a consultant), one of the many good decisions we made in our practice was to have a dress code. Frequently, patients and visitors complimented the appearance of our staff, because they looked like eye-care professionals. We felt strongly that paying strict attention to our personal grooming and appearance conveyed that we cared and took pride in ourselves and in all we did.

In the health care practice, our customer is our patient. In addition to being courteous, respectful, and friendly, everyone in the practice should also dress in a manner that clearly says, “we care.” In the same way that a neat, tidy, well-maintained office and grounds sends that message, so too does a staff’s appearance. Additionally, requiring careful attention to appearance — especially personal hygiene and cleanliness — is healthier, too.

After I read the book “Dress for Success,” one particular point remained with me for many years: if you want to be successful, dress as though you already are. Pride in one’s appearance helps build self-confidence. Here are five valuable suggestions to help you implement and manage a dress code in your practice.

1. Keep it simple.

It is much easier to manage a dress code if you strictly limit the options. Although this may seem harsh, people interpret clothing and fashion very differently. Less is better, and fewer options can help make the dress code easier to understand (and follow) for all concerned.

2. Avoid “too cute.”

Unless you are a pediatric practice, clinical scrubs should be professional. Teddy bears, flowers, or other busy patterns don’t work well for both male and female employees, nor are these styles a good choice for an eye practice. A dark, solid color for scrubs will complement the professional appearance of both male and female employees.

3. Prioritize cleanliness.

Faded, torn, wrinkled, soiled, or worn out clothing are not acceptable. Lab coats should be crisp and white and replaced if they become yellow or stained. If budgets permit, having scrubs and lab coats professionally laundered is a best practice.

4. Include shoes and appropriate footwear.

For clinical staff, a similar shoe style for everyone provides a great look. Also, encourage staff to keep work shoes on premises and not wear them home. This helps keep shoes clean and dirt free.

5. Don’t forget business office staff.

They should wear professional, business attire that is generally more conservative and business appropriate. Letting staff wear jeans on Friday is typically not recommended for a medical/surgical practice. Except on a rare occasion, jeans are too casual to wear when providing patient care or working with customers in a professional setting.

You are a team

A thoughtful, comprehensive dress code should be part of your brand. Your patients should be able to easily recognize employees and readily distinguish employees from other patients/guests.

Lastly, a dress code illustrates that staff are part of a team. Just as sports teams don matching attire, so should your ophthalmic team. Compliance with a dress code sends a clear message to patients, guests, and other employees that “we care.” OP

Ms. Cook is a senior consultant with BSM Consulting. A Certified Ophthalmic Executive and Certified Administrator Surgery Center, she is a registered nurse and also has a degree in Health Care Administration.