MEDLINE’S PERFORMAX POWER SCRUB LINE RECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN SURGICAL PRODUCTS AWARD

Health care industry’s first long-sleeved scrub top helps workers comply with AORN and OSHA guidelines

MUNDELEIN, Ill., Jan 29, 2013 — Medline Industries, Inc.’s PerforMAX™ pOweR scrub line, the health care industry’s first long-sleeved scrub top, has been named the third place winner of the 2012 Excellence in Surgical Products awards in the apparel category. The new long-sleeved scrub top helps protect against the transfer of germs by providing a protective barrier between the patient and a health care worker’s bare arms, which can shed skin cells into the environment.

The Excellence in Surgical Products awards are given annually by Surgical Products Magazine. 

Medline developed the new scrub top in response to recent changes in surgical standards and practices developed by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which now require many members of OR teams to wear long-sleeved jackets for the first time… “to avoid accidental contamination of the sterile field. Long-sleeved attire is advocated to contain shedding skin squames from bare arms,” according to the AORN guidelines.

“We are very excited that PerforMAX pOweR is being recognized as an innovative solution to a real need being voiced by OR nurses,” said Jim Robertson, president of Medline’s textile division. “This scrub top was developed by OR nurses, for OR nurses.” 

Medline designed the PerforMAX pOweR scrubs in partnership with one of its long-standing customers, Myrna Chang, DHA, RN, CNOR, director of perioperative services and sterile processing at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, Calif., who has personal experience with the challenges of OR apparel that is compliant, practical and comfortable.

“Nurses in the OR have to perform for a long time during surgery, so they need material that will hold up over time and that is also comfortable,” said Dr. Chang. “The PerforMAX pOweR scrubs were designed specifically with the nurse’s comfort in mind.”  

PerforMAX pOweR™ scrub tops feature long-sleeves that are sewn directly into the short sleeves of the scrub top to create a more fashionable layered look. Made of the same material as high-performance apparel, the long-sleeves fit snug around the worker’s arms and provide the comfort and breathability of athletic wear. The scrubs, made of a blend of polyester, nylon and spandex, are available in ciel blue, navy, black, misty, jade, dark teal and evergreen, all with grey sleeves and a grey modesty panel covering the v-neck. Click here for more information on PerforMAX pOweR scrubs. 

About Medline

As the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of health care and surgical products, Medline manufactures and distributes more than 350,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, physician offices, home care dealers and retailers. Recently named one of the nation’s "Best and Brightest Companies to Work for,” Medline is headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., and has more than 1,100 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

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John Marks, (847) 643-3309                                   Ann Fahey, (847) 643-3011           

jmarks@medline.com                                              afahey@medline.com