Lab Coats ≠ Cafeteria Coats

Ok this post actually goes out to all doctors, pharmacists, labbists (hehe, i meant lab people, e.g. biotechies, microbies, etc), and anyone else who uses the lab coats.
Last month my department invited a guest speaker, Dr Noor Ibrahim Mohamed Sakian, from UKM (of course) to talk about Infection Control, Professional Liability and Pediatric Sedation.
Basically, it's about hygienic practice in audiology. To cut it short, Dr Noor suggested that audiologists (including clinical students) should be wearing the lab coats and gloves during clinic, as currently we are not. However, mindful of his suggestion, it is not practical for audiologists to do so as we do not want children to be scared of us, as in their mindset: lab coats + gloves > doctors = traumatic experience. So what the audiologists can do is maintain a practice as hygienic as possible, e.g. using sterilized soap and not using the same probes on different patients.
Anyway, moving on from the talk, I actually want to emphasize on the use of lab coats. As most are probably aware, lab coats are mainly for hygienic and protection purposes. In fact, according to Jones, VA, white coats are sometimes seen as the distinctive dress of physicians, who have worn them for over 100 years (thus noting the traumatic experience of children as mentioned above).



But that is still beside the point. My point is, people are using lab coats not only during their practice/clinic/research but also during their lunchtime, driving, everywhere!
And that practice, is so NOT hygienic. To quote Dr Noor, lab coats are not cafeteria coats! They're not suppose to protect your working clothes from curry spills! And are you not aware that you are spreading infections by wearing the lab coat all over the place?!
So please, whoever reading this, take note in wearing the lab coat. To be distinct among other professionals is fine; I mean, you studied for 5-6 years, of course you want people to know you're a doctor without having to introduce yourself right? But I am sure not wanting to spread diseases is also an important issue for anyone, so keep your lab coat in your lab/clinic/office okay? No need to wear it around. Plus it'll maintain the whiteness of the lab coat.
So please, do wear lab coats appropriately. Thank you.