Author Archives: Ariel Jacoby

The Sleekest Stethoscopes For The Polished Professional

A new brand of stethoscopes is coming to the US for the first time, and you should be excited. ERKA is a medical instrument company that is well-known in Europe and other parts of the globe, where it sets the ultimate standard for high-quality stethoscopes, and in just a few weeks, you’ll be able to try out three new models of ERKA stethoscopes by purchasing them from scrubs and lab coats company Medelita, which has set the standard for high quality medical apparel internationally.

If you know anything about Medelita, you know that they have extremely stringent standards for quality. This is a fact that inspires confidence in the quality of the ERKA stethoscopes, because Medelita is not a brand that would sell products that aren’t of the absolute highest quality.

So what makes ERKA stethoscopes superior to the Littmann models?

German-engineered products are known around the world for their precision and technical mastery, and ERKA stethoscopes are no different.
From the sleek design to the patented dual-membrane sound chamber geometry, these chrome-plated stethoscopes are technologically more advanced than most scopes on the market, as well as being more hygienic.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the ERKA stethoscopes are much more attractive and polished-looking than any other we’ve seen. They also have a bit more heft to them, a pleasant weight that is indicative of their quality.

Starting in May, Medelita will begin selling three models of ERKA stethoscopes: the Finesse, the Precise, and the Sensitive.

Updated Gifts For Nurses Gift Guide

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No matter the time of year, nurses need love and appreciation for the hard work that they do. Nursing scrubs company Medelita recently updated their gift guide for nurses to help you out when you need an idea for a birthday, anniversary, or any other holiday (Nurses Week is coming up soon, guys…).

Check out their nurse gift guide below!

Whether its for a birthday, a holiday, or just a little something special to show someone that you care, here are some gift ideas for the nurse in your life! With gifts for every size budget, you will surely find something on this list that will put a smile on their face.

1. A Professional Nursing Lab Coat

The symbolic white coat is no longer reserved for physicians! Though historically lab coats have only been worn by physicians, today more and more nurses are embracing high-quality medical lab coats to complete their professional look. With custom name and title embroidery, they can show off their nursing credentials and wear their white coat with pride. Opt for a lab coat made with performance fabrics, which will repel fluids, wick away sweat, and are generally lower-maintenance and have greater durability.

2. Personalized Nursing Scrubs

Nursing scrubs that get softer with every wash? I dare you to find a nurse who doesn’t dream of that. Scrubs are a wardrobe staple for nurses—they can never have too many! But these nursing scrubs are unparalleled in their comfort (crucial for 18 hour shifts), durability (can last over 100 washes without fraying or fading), and fit (purposeful tailoring is flattering and gives unrestricted movement). Add an extra special touch with personalized embroidery in fade-resistant thread!

Medelita scrubs for men and women in “Baltic”

3. Audiobook Subscription

Nurses are always on the go and don’t have as much time to do the things that they enjoy, such as pleasure reading. Give your loved one the gift of an Audible or Scribd audio book subscription. These services will allow the nurse in your life to catch up on their summer reading list during their commute, while running errands, or doing chores.

4. A Sleek New ERKA Stethoscope

Every single handmade ERKA stethoscope is a unique masterpiece: elaborately polished and chrome plated by a master craftsman. Just like a set of personalized nursing scrubs or custom embroidered nursing lab coat, each of these stethoscopes can be personalized with an individual laser engraving or a customized membrane. For an extra special touch, you can also choose from a wide range of different tube colors an chest-pieces to render a nurse’s everyday life a little more colorful.

5. A Versatile Underscrub Tee

Most underscrub tees are meant solely to give you an added layer of protection under your scrubs, but not this one. The Core One Underscrub Tee is as versatile as it is soft and comfortable, making this the perfect gift for the nurse who needs to seamlessly transition from the hospital, to the grocery store, and even to the gym. The buttery-soft performance fabric is lightweight and wicks away moisture, and the reinforced seams ensure that this gift will work as hard as nurses do.

6. I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories Of Becoming A Nurse

This book contains true narratives from nurses who remember the difficulties they encountered when they first entered the profession, and reflect upon what makes their career so rewarding and what gets them through their hardest shifts. Perfect for a nurse who might be feeling discouraged, the stories in the book will renew his or her personal strength and will remind them why they became a nurse in the first place—to help people.

7. Prescription Coffee Mug

All nurses need coffee, and a lot of it. This 12-oz mug is dishwasher & microwave safe and is sure to bring a laugh to the nurse who receives it. It looks like an oversized prescription bottle with the label full of detailed descriptions about coffee—sure to lift the mood in any hospital or private practice!

8. The Weeknight Survival Cookbook by Dena Irwin, R.D.

With very little free time to spare, it can be difficult and costly for someone in nursing to make tasty yet healthy meals for themselves throughout the week. A cookbook full of simple, nutritious recipes that can be made in 10 minutes is absolutely perfect for saving time and staying healthy.

9. FitBit

On a nurse’s busiest days they can end up walking miles and miles—give them the gift of being able to track that exercise! In such a demanding career, it can be difficult to factor in time for working out but a wearable device such as FitBit allows you to track how much activity you have actually done during the day. It also tracks your sleep and lets the nurse in your life monitor their own health data and stay motivated with their health.

10. Keurig Coffee Maker

Another time saver for those who are short on time, a Keurig machine is a must. Gift it with a box of K-Cups in their favorite brand of coffee, or get them a Keurig My K-Cup Reusable Coffee Filter so that they can make their preferred gourmet coffee in an easy-to-clean, reusable filter. This contraption will end up saving time and money!

Lab Coats On Nurses: Yay Or Nay?

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Lately there has been much discussion over medical uniforms and how they serve the purpose of differentiating medical staff members’ roles. Most medical professionals, regardless of level or specialty, wear scrubs.

But what about lab coats? Should lab coats only be worn by doctors, or is there something to be said for this nursing lab coats trend?

The main argument against nursing lab coats is that it is confusing for patients when lab coats are worn by both doctors and nurses. This is fair, and confusion should definitely be avoided as much as possible. However, there is an easy solution for this if you just get your lab coat with custom embroidery, where you can prominently display your title in a place that’s easy to read. With name & title embroidery on your lab coat, it’s still very easy for patients to tell who is a doctor and who is a nurse: they can just look at your lab coat!

We vote that if your white lab coat makes you feel more professional and helps you do your job better, and if there are no hospital rules preventing nurses from wearing lab coats just as doctors, go for it!

Men’s Scrubs That Fit Like Clothes

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Have you ever noticed how most scrubs available look like prison jumpsuits but in shades of blue instead of orange? It’s time to set aside your drab, unisex scrubs in favor of a uniform that actually fits you.

These modern fit scrubs for men are designed for men – more specifically, they are designed to fit like men’s clothing instead of cheap pajamas. The scrubs pants are fitted in a way that resembles a pair of chinos or khakis, and there is even a fly zipper in addition to the dual waistband-drawstring waist. In supremely soft fabric, these are the best scrubs available for men.

The modern fit mens scrub top is designed to fit like a nice men’s tee shirt. The v-neck is professional an modest, without showing off too much skin to be inappropriate.

Six Surprising Household Items You Can Use To Remove Stains

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Stains on clothing can quickly take your look from snazzy to shabby. Unfortunately, they are just an unavoidable part of life, like taxes or having to shave your legs (or your face, if you’re of the male persuasion).

Here are some stain removing hacks using household items that you would never guess could be used as stain remover!

1.The sun

For tough-to-get-out tomato based stains, douse the item in water so that it is fully soaked, spray a little white vinegar or lemon water onto the stain, and leave it out in the sun while it is very wet.

2.White bread

According to our sources, white bread can be very useful in removing lipstick stains from clothes. Remove the crust, wad it up into a ball, and blot out as much as you can – what’s left will come out in the wash.

3.Hand sanitizer

For ink stains, soak the stained area in hand sanitizer and wait for 10 minutes before throwing it into the wash.

4.Chalk

If you have a troubling grease stain, rub some chalk into the area before washing. The powdery texture should soak up most of the grease.

5.Kitty litter

Treat red wine stains as soon as you can, while it’s still wet. After pouring club soda onto the stain, sprinkle on some kitty litter and press it into the stain so that it absorbs the wine.

6.Meat tenderizer

Sweat stains, be gone! Wet the sweat stain with warm water and sprinkle some meat tenderizer on the area. Wait 30 minutes before washing.

Logos On Lab Coats: Hospitals

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Custom embroidery is an easy way to make your lab coat truly stand out. Add your name, title, and credentials so that your patients and colleagues can more easily identify you, and if you work at a private practice or large hospital you can even have your logo digitized and embroidered onto your lab coat.

Here are some of my favorite custom embroidered logos from different large institutions around the country. Check out more embroidered logos here.

San Joaquin General Hospital is an acute care facility that now houses a 196-bed hospital, a medical campus dedicated to primary and specialty outpatient services, as well as two ambulatory care sites that provide over 134,000 outpatient clinic visits a year.

Harbor UCLA Medical Center is one of only five level one trauma centers in Los Angeles County. Harbor UCLA Medical Center’s services include primary care, emergency medicine, neurology, psychiatry, and even a Child Abuse Crisis Center.

Scripps Health is a private, nonprofit, integrated health system dedicated to providing the highest quality care to the people of San Diego.

As a nonprofit integrated delivery system, MemorialCare Health System consists of over 200 medical facilities, including five top hospitals, numerous medical groups, outpatient health centers, as well as imaging and surgery centers in Southern California.

Power Dressing For Female Clinicians

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If you’re a female leader in medicine (or are heading down that path) there will be times when you need to step up your style to convey the appearance of the powerful, take-charge woman that you are!

So the next time you have an interview, presentation, important meeting or even just are having a professional headshot taken, follow these basic guidelines so that you can present yourself as a polished, skilled leader.

Skirt suit or pants suit

You can’t go wrong with a business professional skirt/pants suit, as long as it fits you properly. This is an opportunity to let your personal style show a bit more, and it can make a powerful statement if you go outside the box of traditional colors (think black, navy, grey) to opt for a bolder, more unique color like a burnt ochre, or deep plum – you can even play around with unexpected patterns like plaid or stripes, as long as the color palette is muted and still professional.

Crisp white button down shirt

If you don’t have this in your wardrobe already, bite the bullet and get one. This is not only perfect for professional settings, but it’s an extremely versatile piece that you will find dozens of opportunities to wear throughout the year.

My recommendation for purchasing a button down shirt is to not necessarily go for the most expensive or the cheapest option. You should shop for a middle-of-the-range shirt that isn’t absurdly priced, but is still made with quality materials, and take it to a professional tailor to have it fitted perfectly to your body. This simple step will make it look like the most expensive shirt you own!

Low heels or pumps

You should have at least one pair of nice dress pumps in your closet, but I would recommend against any heels higher than 3 inches. For one, they aren’t as comfortable, no matter how much you might relate to Sarah Jessica Parker’s affinity for sky-high heels. Secondly, super high heels can be distracting and don’t look as professional as a more modest heel.

Tailored lab coat with name & title embroidery

You worked hard for your credentials, so show them off by having them embroidered on your lab coat. And while you’re at it, get a lab coat that actually fits you – not the cheap, semi-see-through, unisex lab coats you might be used to. Even if you don’t think you’ll wear it in a clinical setting, you should have at least one professional tailored lab coat that will make you look polished.

Medelita offers quite a range of different tailored lab coats for female professionals, and they offer in-house embroidery services so that you can skip the step of taking it to a separate embroidery studio to have your name and title added.

Why Are These Lab Coats So Expensive?

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The Medelita White Coat Collection is well-known as the best in class for medical professionals seeking a tailored, fitted lab coat. They have numerous designs in gender-specific styles, ensuring that there is a style for everyone.

But the price tag is steep – compare their H.W. Cushing lab coat, which costs $154, to a cheaper Landau lab coat at $30.58.

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H.W. Cushing Slim Fit Lab Coat

Why is the Medelita lab coat so much more expensive?

The simple answer is, you get what you pay for. Quality starts with the raw materials, and the cost of the high-quality raw materials sourced by Medelita for their fabric and buttons actually costs more than the retail price of that Landau coat. The difference in the quality of the fabric is the first thing you’ll notice that makes the Medelita version worth the extra money.

You also need to take into account the fact that Medelita lab coats are designed more or less like blazers or nice suit jackets. If you made them about half a foot shorter and in a khaki color or dark neutral, you would basically have something similar to a Brooks Brothers jacket, which is $648. So when you think about it, it’s actually a pretty darn good deal.

Medelita Lab Coat Features

Performance fabric is bright white, resists stains, wicks sweat away, easy to care for
Highly durable, double seams, darting, pleating and other small quality indicators
Flattering styles for men and women that are fitted and allow full range of movement

A Women’s Lab Coat Of Distinction

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The challenge with looking professional as a woman in medicine is that the traditionally male-dominated field has set the bar pretty low for attractive and flattering uniforms. Historically, almost all medical lab coats available have been unisex, with a very boxy shape that tends to look like a white smock.

That doesn’t look very professional. And it doesn’t make you feel very professional, either.

If this is a familiar situation for you, it’s probably time to upgrade your lab coat to one that is actually made for women. I recommend the classic Callia M., which was actually first developed back in 2008 as the very first women’s lab coat in history. Since then, it has been modernized and had its design upgraded to fit better than ever.

Check out our favorite features from this timeless style of women’s lab coat.

Delicately scalloped lapels

Two-button defining back belt

Darted back venting

Functional iPad patch pockets

Performance Fabric Scrubs Are The Best Scrubs

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How do you justify spending $30-$40 more on a set of scrubs made with performance fabric versus sticking with your standard-grade scrubs that the hospital gave you?

There are actually a number of reasons to invest in a set of nursing scrubs made with high quality fabrics. Here are the top reasons to spring for a nicer set of performance scrubs the next time you’re in the market to buy yourself a new set of scrubs.

The comfort level of performance fabric is as good as it gets. Most cheap scrubs are made with a shabby poly-blend fabric that is scratchy and uncomfortable. Performance fabrics make scrubs insanely soft, way more comfortable for long shifts in your scrubs.
Performance fabrics are designed to work for you. The very term “performance fabric” means that the fabric has been imbued with a number of technological properties that make it easier to care for, more comfortable, and more durable for you, the wearer.
The durability lasts forever. Scrubs made of performance fabrics can go through the wash hundreds of times without seeing holes or pilling in the fabric. You also won’t see the color fade. Longer-lasting scrubs means cost savings over the long term, as you can buy fewer sets of scrubs that won’t need to be replaced as often.
Low maintenance care. Scrubs made with performance fabrics are often stain resistant and wrinkle releasing, meaning you don’t have to do much to keep them in good shape. Stains will come out more easily in the wash and you can usually get away with not ironing them.