Customer Spotlight: Koyama Memorial Hospital | Classico
About the Institution
Located in Kashima City in the southeastern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, Koyama Memorial Hospital is a designated secondary emergency hospital famous for the nearby Kashima Shrine. Although it is a medium-sized hospital with 224 beds, it is a leader in regional medical care.
The nursing department at Koyama Memorial Hospital is a diverse team, bringing together new staff, parents with young children, and seasoned veterans. The team values a spirit of mutual support that transcends departments and occupations. Despite the demands of working in an acute care hospital, the team prioritizes communication.
A Conversation with Yukiko Iwama, Director of Nursing
I discovered *Gelato Pique & Classico* lab coats at an academic conference. The fabric felt so pleasant that Classico sent me a sample of their scrubs. The uniforms made an excellent impression on our nurses, who found them comfortable to wear and noted their soft appearance, which led to our decision to adopt them.
Initially, the softness of the uniforms was well-received by both staff and patients. However, the original fabric was not perfectly suited for the demanding acute care environment. We consulted with Classico, and after several fabric improvements, we developed the ideal uniform. We are very grateful for their dedicated and enthusiastic response.
This is now our second purchase, and the main reason we continue to choose Classico is the soft impression the uniforms create. Nurses work in close proximity to patients. Our hospital has many healthcare professionals in addition to nurses. Previously, when everyone wore different scrubs, it was difficult for patients to identify who was a nurse.
Since unifying our nursing staff in these scrubs, many patients have commented that they look "really nice" and create a "soft atmosphere." This welcoming appearance makes our nurses more approachable, reinforcing our decision to continue with Classico uniforms to foster a closer connection with our patients.
As an acute care hospital, our environment is demanding, with a constant focus on safety and infection control. We wanted to improve the atmosphere and reduce staff fatigue with scrubs that both look and feel good.
Although many variations were available, we standardized the color to lavender while allowing each staff member to choose their preferred style. When they saw the samples, the response was unanimous: 'I like it!'
Each staff member receives four to six Classico items. In addition to the lavender Pattern Pullover Scrub, we use the charcoal gray Pleated Scrub Tops for the Health Examination Center and charcoal gray Pack Scrubs for the operating room, tailoring our selections to each department's needs.
We also added a custom heart logo to the sleeve for the first time. The design is based on the hospital's philosophies, 'One Heart' and 'United in Spirit.' The logo complements the lavender fabric, and the embroidery reinforces our identity as Koyama Memorial Hospital staff.
Featured Team Products
Koyama Memorial Hospital selected pieces from several Classico collections.
Gelato Pique x Classico Collaboration Collection Items
Since 2017, this collaboration blends Gelato Pique's cozy aesthetic with Classico's medical expertise—creating scrubs with playful patterns, foldable cuffs with printed linings, and silky, non-transparent fabric.
- Patterned Sleeve Scrub Tops (Product Number 660) — bulk orders only
- Patterned Sleeve Scrub Tops (Product Number 650)
PACK Collection Items
Unisex scrubs for daily medical wear. Straight-cut silhouettes in distinctive colors, made from anti-static, quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant fabric.
Classico Nurse Collection Items
Relaxed, boxy unisex scrub tops with V-neck and ample pockets. Smooth & Light fabric is durable, anti-static, quick-drying, and wrinkle-resistant through industrial washing.
