Scrubs were originally the surgical "scrub" clothing worn by physicians during surgery. The wearing of scrubs has since become commonplace in hospitals by many types of workers who like them for their practicality and comfort. Many patient organizations and nurses prefer distinctive uniforms that make it easier to recognize the different members and functions of a health care team. The established nursing uniform consisting of dress, apron and cap remains in common use in most of the world.
"Scrubs" is also the name of a US sitcom created by Bill Lawrence, who has also produced Spin City. It centers on the professional and personal lives of a group of new doctors at a Chicago hospital. The show distinguishes itself from other sitcoms through the use of narration, unusally verbose characters, abrupt segues between subplots, scenes of surreal escapism (usually presented as the thoughts of the main character), and poignant scenes, since the series does also address how doctors deal with death, delivering dire diagnoses, and other hospital-related issues.
The cast includes:
- J.D. (Zach Braff), the affably nerdish narrator and main character, an intern who provides the narration most of the time
- Elliott (Sarah Chalke), J.D.'s bubbly blonde friend, but not girl friend; also an intern at the hospital. Their interplay provides the requisite sexual tension of so many sitcoms.
- Turk (Donald Faison), J.D.'s best friend, a surgeon
- Carla (Judy Reyes), a strong-willed nurse and Turk's girlfriend, later fiancee
- Dr. Kelso Ken Jenkins), the truculent attending doctor
- Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), J.D.'s sarcastic, bitter mentor, who routinely belittles him and calls him girls' names
- the unnamed janitor (Neil Flynn), who has made it his business to terrorize J.D. for some reason
