Purchasing Lab Coats By the third year of medical school, students studying a medical profession are well versed in the reasons for wearing a lab coat. Wearing them not only denotes their status as a medical student or graduated professional, it also promotes good hygiene and prevents the spread of disease. When purchasing lab coats for your use at work, it is best to decide exactly what type you will need before pricing them. Disposable lab coats are handy for quick entrances into an area where hazards are present. Heavier lab coats are good if a large amount of liquid is splashed onto the coat. Standard lab coats are good for all purpose germ control.

Once you have decided what you need, make sure the department you work in does not require a specific color. Some hospitals and doctor's offices color code their departments. For example, maroon could be worn by lab personnel, green by the surgery staff, and blue by the X-ray department. If you department requires a color, keep that in mind when getting ready to purchase. It is best to purchase a lab coat from a qualified medical clothing supply store.

These stores are certified and will guarantee that the coats meet safety standards set out by organizations such as the EPA and OSHA. Many of these stores are also offer professional cleaning services for these coats. If there is no medical clothing supply store near you, there is many available online that can provide you with what you need. You want to look for ones that certify their clothing meets the safety standards.

Also double check that the online stores carry any color you may need for your particular job. Many online stores offer discounts for bulk purchases and you will need to contact them to get a price quote. Embroidery services are also available for an additional fee.

Single coats start at $11.95 for a plain white lab coat with no ornamentation. The do come in a variety of sizes and colors include maroon, black, blue, hunter, navy, white, pink, purple, red and royal. There are also various styles. Dental and veterinary lab coats come to the top of the thigh. Medical lab coats go down to the knees.

The can come with snaps, buttons, and zippers, whichever style you find the most comfortable. Scientific lab coats come with tight ribbed wrists that fit snuggly to protect the skin. Consultation lab coats look very similar to three-quarter sleeve suit jackets. There are even lab coats available for anyone that fits into the 'big and tall' category.

Whatever style or color coat you prefer or are required to wear, always make sure that it fits property. The sleeves should come past your wrists, you should have easy range of motion while wearing it over street clothing, and it should always be completely fastened. Wearing a lab coast is not just an honor that shows your status in the medical field, it is an important piece of clothing to protect you and your health.

Rick G is the author of this article on Shop Lab Coats. Find more information about Colored Lab Coats here.