Re: Why do surgeons always wear green clothes ?

In order to prevent nosocomial (i.e. infection acquired in the 
hospital)infections, hospitals have issued a great number of rules, 
including behaviour in the operating rooms. You are not permitted to enter 
an operating room (OR) with "civilian" clothes. You have to create a sort 
of barrier between the patient and you. Such a barrier is attained through 
specific clothing. Circulating people (nurse, anesthesiologist for example) 
wear a tissue hat, a face mask, and scrubs (green or blue specific 
clothes). The surgeon and assistant wear sterile gloves and clothes.

Why green ? Initially, all scrubs and drapes were white. People quickly 
became aware that blood was more impressive on white clothes, and that the 
light was reflected in excess by white during the operating procedure. 
White was therefore abandonned, and blue or green became the colors of 
choice.

By the way, a friend of mine, a psychiatrist, believes that blue has a 
"sedative" effect on surgeons' mood.....

Hope this helps

Luc Ronchi, MD
Hopital de St Nazaire
France