Skip to content
Schedule a Demo
All posts

“5 Scrub Program Mistakes That Cost Hospitals Thousands (And How to Fix Them)”

Picture of Humberto Sotomayor   Humberto Sotomayor  ·  2 minute read

Introduction

Managing a hospital’s scrub program shouldn’t feel like herding cats. Yet, many HR and procurement teams waste hundreds of hours (and thousands of dollars) on preventable errors—misplaced orders, compliance violations, and voucher overspending.

The good news? These mistakes are easy to fix with the right systems. At UniformsLogic, we’ve helped hospitals save $50k+ annually by automating their scrub programs. Below, we break down the 5 most costly mistakes we see—and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Using Manual Spreadsheets to Track Orders

The Problem:

  • HR teams spend 15–20 hours/month updating spreadsheets, emailing employees about order statuses, and reconciling voucher spending.

  • Human errors (e.g., typos, duplicate entries) lead to wrong sizes, colors, or overspending.

Real-World Cost:

  • [Hospital X] processed 200 scrub orders manually last quarter. 12% had errors, resulting in $8,200 in replacement costs and 30+ hours of corrective work.

The Fix:

  • Automated self-registration portals let employees order approved scrubs themselves.

  • Real-time dashboards show HR exact voucher usage, order statuses, and compliance metrics.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Department-Specific Compliance

The Problem:

  • Nurses wearing the wrong scrub colors (e.g., gray instead of navy) confuse patients and violate hospital branding policies.

  • Non-compliant apparel forces HR to waste time correcting mistakes or disciplining staff.

Real-World Cost:

  • [Hospital Y] spent $12,000/year replacing non-compliant scrubs and retraining staff.

The Fix:

  • Role-based access control: Employees only see scrub colors and styles approved for their department.

  • Pre-order compliance checks: Our platform blocks orders that violate rules.

Mistake 3: Poor Voucher Management

The Problem:

  • Vouchers issued via paper checks or generic gift cards lead to overspending (e.g., employees buying non-scrub items).

  • HR can’t track unused balances, leading to budget waste.

Real-World Cost:

  • [Hospital Z] lost $18,000/year from unclaimed vouchers and unauthorized purchases.

The Fix:

  • Digital voucher system: Set annual limits per department (e.g., 200fornurses,150 for admins).

  • Spending restrictions: Employees can only use vouchers for approved scrubs and branded apparel.

Mistake 4: Limited Brand & Style Options

The Problem:

  • Offering 1–2 scrub brands frustrates employees, leading to low engagement with the program.

  • Staff buy their own non-compliant scrubs elsewhere, undermining hospital branding.

Real-World Cost:

  • 40% of nurses at [Hospital A] purchased off-brand scrubs, costing HR $25,000/year in compliance enforcement.

The Fix:

  • 25+ top brands (FIGS, Cherokee, etc.) in approved colors. Employees choose styles they love—without breaking rules.

Mistake 5: No Centralized Delivery Tracking

The Problem:

  • Scrubs shipped to the wrong locations or lost in transit create delays and frustration.

  • HR fields endless “Where’s my order?” calls instead of focusing on strategic work.

Real-World Cost:

  • [Hospital B] spent 9 hours/week resolving shipping issues, equivalent to $14,000/year in lost productivity.

The Fix:

  • Direct-to-employee shipping with real-time tracking.

  • Automated delivery updates sent via email or SMS.

How to Avoid These Mistakes

The common thread? Manual processes and poor visibility cost hospitals time, money, and trust.

With UniformsLogic’s platform, you can:
✅ Automate compliance, vouchers, and order tracking.
✅ Offer 25+ brands while enforcing department rules.
✅ Save 20+ hours/month for HR teams.

CTA: Audit Your Scrub Program

“Wondering how much your scrub program is costing you?
Get a free audit to uncover hidden expenses and see how much you could save with automation.”
[Schedule Your Free Audit]

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to implement UniformsLogic?
A: Most hospitals go live in 2–4 weeks—no IT support needed.

Q: Can employees use their own money if vouchers run out?
A: Yes! They can pay the difference with a credit card at checkout.

Downloadable Lead Magnet

“The HR Manager’s Checklist: 10 Signs Your Scrub Program is Costing You Thousands”
[Download Now]