What do different scrub colors mean on Chicago Med?

Chicago Med runs a tight ship. There’s a strict hierarchy of doctors and nurses, each with a pivotal role to play in the saving of lives. Given the large number of characters that have appeared on the show, however, there might be some confusion as to who does what.

One indicator to help to keep things straight is the color of the scrubs that each character wears. There are characters who wear black, blue, and maroon scrubs throughout the show, and each color denotes a different responsibility or access.

Here’s a convenient breakdown of what each scrub color means and how they factor into the ED.

What is the difference between scrub colors on Chicago Med?

Chicago Med characters who wear blue scrubs commonly work as nurses. Maggie Lockwood (Marlyne Barnett) is one of the most notable examples of the blue scrubs signifier, denoting her role as an assistant to the surgeons/doctors.

According to Grey’s Anatomy Scrubs, lightly colored scrubs like green or blue are specifically chosen because neutralize the color of blood. “When a green or blue fabric has blood stains on it, the stain becomes dark, and nearly black”, the site notes. “This is far less alarming than a bright crimson stain.”

Characters who wear maroon scrubs are doctors, so it should come as no surprise that they are the most commonly sighted color in the ED. Dr. Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss), Stevie Hammer (Kristen Hager), Dylan Scott (Guy Lockard) and Steven Weber (Dean Archer) all wear maroon while treating patients.

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It’s generally advised that doctors avoid red scrubs, given the color’s association with blood, so maroon often functions as a more calming alternative. The third and final scrub color spotted in the ED is black, which is associated with surgeons.

The most notable wearers of black scrubs are Crockett Marcel (Dominic Rains) and Dr. Pamela Blake (Sarah Rafferty). Crockett is known for being an ace surgeon in the ED, and Blake is a no-nonsense presence who joined the unit after elbowing her way into a surgery on her injured daughter.

There haven’t been any other scrub colors to appear on Chicago Med, as specific roles like chief administrator (Goodwin) and chief of the psychiatry department (Dr. Charles) don’t require scrubs to be worn. If any get added to the show in season 7 we’ll be sure to break down their meaning!

For the latest Chicago Med season 7 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Med category at One Chicago Center.