Wearing Jewelry in Healthcare Settings: Policies, Considerations, and Balancing with Human Rights

In healthcare settings, such as hospitals and clinics, the guidelines and policies regarding the wearing of jewelry are primarily designed to ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and healthcare professionals. While specific policies may vary between institutions, the restrictions on jewelry are typically in place to mitigate potential health and safety risks. Let’s explore some insights on this topic:

Health and Safety Concerns:

The primary reason for limiting jewelry in healthcare settings is to reduce the risk of contamination and the potential for injury. Jewelry, including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and dangling earrings, can harbor bacteria or other pathogens, making proper hand hygiene and infection control practices more challenging. Additionally, loose or dangling jewelry can pose a risk of entanglement or accidental snagging during patient care procedures.

“It has been found that skin under rings may be more heavily colonized with microorganisms than the rest of the hand, and that rings may also increase the risk of glove tears. Wrist jewellery may prevent proper washing of the skin, and skin may not be dried properly following handwashing if wrist jewellery is present.” (Source)

Institutional Policies:

Healthcare institutions often have specific policies outlining jewelry restrictions to maintain a safe and sterile environment. For example, many hospitals and clinics prohibit wearing rings with stones or settings that may harbor bacteria, and some restrict the wearing of bracelets or wristwatches to facilitate thorough hand hygiene. These policies aim to uphold patient safety and prevent the spread of infections.

Limitations on Jewelry:

Typical limitations on jewelry for healthcare professionals may include requirements such as minimal or no jewelry except for a plain wedding band, prohibition of large or dangling earrings, and restrictions on necklaces or lanyards that can interfere with patient care activities. Some institutions provide clear guidelines on the types of jewelry permissible, often favoring minimalistic, non-porous, and easily cleanable options.

Example: Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital

1. Non uniformed staff: “Jewellery should be kept to a minimum and guidance within the policy adhered to. It must not cause a risk either from snagging or for infection prevention and control purposes.” Further, “Staff should ensure that their jewellery does not pose a risk to themselves or others. Facial piercing should remain discreet and facial jewellery should be plain and flat. This is to avoid potential harm. Employees must fully co-operate with their employer in meeting their legal responsibilities in relation to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.”
2. Uniformed staff: “Please refer to the Infection Prevention and Control policy and Bare Below Elbow principles. Clinical staff may wear a plain ring with no stones and one small pair of plain stud earrings. Facial piercings are not permitted unless by prior permission due to religious/cultural reasons. Wrist watches must be removed when giving direct patient care. Fob watches may be worn. No necklaces, bracelets or anklets are to be worn when working in the clinical environment.”
3. Clinical staff engaged in direct patient contact: “…In particular, they should ensure that their clothes, shoes and jewellery worn do not pose a potential hazard to themselves, patients or clients and other staff, from both an infection control and a health and safety perspective.”
4. Standard perioperative department attire: “All jewellery must be removed including watches, ear rings and any visible body piercing. Only a plain wedding band may be worn.”

From these very typical instructions, it is clear that where jewelry is permitted, it needs to be simple and minimal. Plain stud earrings are a good choice (argos.co.uk for the UK and threaderearrings.co.uk for international both offer good cheap choices).

Whilst wedding rings are often permitted, you may want to consider the health of your patients before leaving them on.

“There is substantial evidence that wearing hand jewelry increases total skin microorganism counts. Based on available data, hand jewelry should not be worn in healthcare settings.” (Source)

Religious Jewelry and Human Rights:

Healthcare institutions strive to respect the religious and cultural beliefs of their employees, including their right to express their faith through religious jewelry. While accommodations may be made, they must be balanced with the institution’s responsibility to maintain patient safety and adhere to infection control protocols. In cases where religious jewelry poses a potential risk, alternatives may be explored, such as allowing religious symbols to be worn on clothing or providing appropriate storage options during working hours. In all cases, a risk assessment should be performed on an individual basis. Not doing so can open the organisation up to risk of a claim.

It is important to note that limitations on jewelry in healthcare settings are not intended to infringe upon anyone’s human rights, including the freedom of religion. Rather, they seek to balance the rights of healthcare professionals with the overarching responsibility of maintaining a safe and sterile environment for patients. Institutions often engage in open dialogue with employees to find reasonable accommodations that uphold both patient safety and individual beliefs.

Ultimately, healthcare professionals should familiarize themselves with their institution’s specific policies regarding jewelry to ensure compliance while respecting the well-being of patients. By prioritizing patient safety and infection control, healthcare professionals can create a secure environment while upholding their commitment to providing high-quality care.