Scrubs worn by nurses are getting another makeover, part of an effort to boost sales in a $1 billion-a-year medical apparel industry split between manufacturers offering more colorful, stylish outfits and others touting practical, germ-fighting fabrics.

Some younger employees often just want to look sharper at work, and they're putting a bigger emphasis on fashion when they buy medical garb at prices that might surprise the average patient. A standard V-neck tunic with drawstring pants costs about $40 at retail, although prices can range as high as $70.

Toss in an increased focus among hospitals on preventing infections, and specialty manufacturers that focus on the medical industry see growth opportunities around every gurney.

"People are always going to get sick, and we're going to always need health-care workers, and they're always going to need medical apparel," said Steve Land, owner of Nashville-based retailer Land Uniforms and president of the Uniform Retailers Association.

Newcomers to the industry include Performance Scrubs, which launched two months ago as a unit of a Brentwood-based company led by former Ingram Book Group executive J. Kirby Best.

Performance Scrubs considers one of its key selling points to be the use of a moisture-wicking, stain-resistant material that involves inserting silver ions into the fabric to control odor and restrict the spread of bacteria. Best contends the clothing is easier to clean and more durable than other anti-microbial scrubs as a result.

Best's firm has a lot of big-name competition.

Last week, athletic footwear and apparel company New Balance became the latest well-known brand to announce its entry into medical apparel sales, joining the ranks of Baby Phat, Skechers, Jockey and Dickies in a fiercely competitive niche that also includes a "Grey's Anatomy" line labeled after the iconic hospital TV series.

Performance Scrubs sells its outfits for $49.99 a set at retail, which is more than the average retail price for scrubs.

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