title: Clothes encounter: patient perception of nursing attire in a behavioral health unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In an acute behavioral health unit, patients' perceptions of nurses can be influenced by the type of clothing they wear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study were to determine if mental health patients had preferences related to nursing attire, to determine if patient preference varied with age, and to determine if nursing attire affected patients' thoughts on approachability, competence, and professionalism.
  
  
  METHODS
  A six-question survey was distributed to patients who met specific criteria between August and December 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, patients did not have a preference for the type of attire worn by staff. Identification of nurses was a concern for many. More than half of the respondents indicated approachability was not affected by attire; however, 29% said that street clothes made the nurse less approachable. Attire did not affect patient perception of competence or professionalism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As behavioral health care changes, staff attire may need to be reconsidered.
authors.affiliation: York Hospital, York, PA.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Rodney D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Grim