In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, here are the most up-to-date guidelines put forth by the Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) on proper surgical attire addressing the permissibility of a hijab and other religious head covers in the operating room.
As of May 26, 2021, the association updated its recommendations to include “religious head coverings (eg, head scarves [hijabs], veils, turbans, bonnets) that are clean, constructed of tightly-woven and low-linting material, are without adornments, and fit securely with loose ends tucked in the scrub top may be worn to cover the hair and scalp in the semi-restricted and restricted area.”
You can read the rest of AORN’s statement here.
Along the lines of the headscarf, traditional scrub tops do not align with proper hijab. Since scrubs are generally short-sleeved, please have scrub jackets, either disposable or those that can be laundered with the scrubs, readily available and easily accessible for hijab-wearing women.
With these guidelines, your institution can proactively foster a safe and welcoming learning environment for its trainees, faculty, and employees. In order for our students and trainees to feel comfortable clinically, we have to allow them to feel comfortable personally, especially as it relates to their self-expression or religious identity.
Is there any specific inventory I can provide so the hospital can order surgical hoods for patients who wear hijab?
The following options can be used to cover a patient’s personal hijab before an operation or procedure.
Option 1: Surgical Hoods (Cardinal Health)
Option 2: Surgical Hoods (Medline Industries)
What if I have other questions about hijab and accommodations for my students and trainees?
Contact me and I will be happy to answer any questions you have and provide you with helpful resources. Follow this link to my Contact page, or click the link in the header above.