In healthcare, gloves are a critical tool for infection prevention. However, misconceptions about their use can lead to unintended risks. Some healthcare workers believe gloves replace hand hygiene, while others wear them unnecessarily, increasing the potential for cross-contamination.
In a recent Vitalacy Patient Safety Webinar, Missy Travis, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, addressed common myths, facts, and best practices related to glove use. This article highlights key takeaways from her presentation and outlines actionable strategies for improving compliance with glove use and hand hygiene.
The Evolution of Gloves in Healthcare
Gloves have not always been a standard part of infection prevention. Their role has evolved alongside advancements in medical knowledge and safety protocols:
- 19th century: Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis demonstrated that handwashing significantly reduced infection rates in maternity wards (CDC, 2021).
- Late 1800s: Surgical gloves were introduced by William Stewart Halsted to protect healthcare workers from antiseptics (APIC, 2021).
- 1980s: The HIV/AIDS epidemic led to universal precautions, making glove use a standard practice in healthcare (OSHA, 2023).
- Today: Guidelines from the CDC, OSHA, APIC, and SHEA dictate best practices for glove use in medical settings (SHEA, 2023).
Debunking Common Myths About Glove Use
Despite clear regulatory guidelines, several misconceptions persist. Here’s the reality behind the myths:
Myth: Gloves replace hand hygiene.
Fact: Gloves act as a barrier but do not eliminate the need for hand hygiene. Hands can become contaminated when donning or removing gloves, making handwashing essential before and after glove use (CDC, 2021).
Myth: Double gloving provides extra protection.
Fact: While double gloving is beneficial during high-risk procedures such as surgery, it is unnecessary for routine patient care. In most cases, wearing two pairs of gloves reduces dexterity without significantly improving protection (APIC, 2021).
Myth: Gloves should be worn for all patient interactions.
Fact: Gloves should only be used for tasks involving bodily fluids, infection risks, or hazardous materials. Overuse can contribute to cross-contamination, increased costs, and unnecessary waste (CDC, 2021).
Myth: All gloves offer the same level of protection.
Fact: Different gloves—latex, nitrile, and vinyl—vary in durability and resistance to contaminants. Selecting the right type for each task is essential for safety and effectiveness (OSHA, 2023).
Myth: If gloves look clean, hand hygiene isn’t necessary.
Fact: Even if gloves appear uncontaminated, they can still carry pathogens. Hand hygiene should always be performed before and after glove use (CDC, 2021).
Best Practices for Proper Glove Use
Ensuring proper glove use requires adherence to best practices that reduce infection risk:
Correct Glove Use
- Use gloves only when necessary, such as for handling bodily fluids or performing sterile procedures.
- Always perform hand hygiene before donning and after removing gloves.
- Choose the correct glove size and material for the task.
- Change gloves between patients, after contamination, or when switching between clean and dirty tasks (CDC, 2021).
Common Glove Misuse
- Wearing gloves for all patient interactions, increasing the risk of unnecessary contamination.
- Reusing disposable gloves, which should always be discarded after use.
- Touching personal items such as phones, pens, and keyboards while wearing gloves.
- Donning gloves on wet hands, reducing their protective effectiveness (OSHA, 2023).
Assessing Glove Use Compliance
To improve infection prevention, healthcare facilities should routinely evaluate glove use practices. Steps for assessing compliance include:
- Conducting staff observations to identify and correct improper glove use in real time.
- Reviewing glove consumption data to detect patterns of overuse or underuse.
- Surveying healthcare workers to identify knowledge gaps and common misconceptions.
- Aligning policies with CDC and OSHA guidelines to ensure adherence to best practices.
- Implementing feedback and training programs to reinforce proper glove use (APIC, 2021).
Developing an Action Plan for Better Compliance
A structured approach is essential for improving glove compliance and enhancing patient safety. Consider these key steps:
- Standardize Policies and Guidelines
- Ensure hospital policies align with CDC and OSHA recommendations.
- Clearly define when gloves should and should not be worn.
- Engage Leadership
- Gain support from hospital administrators and infection prevention teams.
- Make glove compliance a core component of safety discussions.
- Provide Ongoing Training
- Conduct regular training sessions on proper glove use.
- Display educational materials in high-traffic areas to reinforce best practices.
By prioritizing proper glove use and hand hygiene, healthcare facilities can reduce infection risks, improve patient safety, and enhance overall compliance.
Request a demo of Vitalacy’s Automated Hand Hygiene Monitoring Solution today!
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/isolation-precautions/index.html
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2021). Personal Protective Equipment Standards. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/personal-protective-equipment
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2021). Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/bloodborne-pathogens
- Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (2019). APIC Hand Hygiene Implementation Guide. Retrieved from https://apic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/APIC_handhygiene.pdf
- SHEA, IDSA, & APIC. (2022). Practice recommendation: Strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene – 2022 update. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/infection-control-and-hospital-epidemiology/article/sheaidsaapic-practice-recommendation-strategies-to-prevent-healthcareassociated-infections-through-hand-hygiene-2022-update/FCD05235C79DC57F0E7F54D7EC314C2C
- World Health Organization. (2009). WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care is Safer Care. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241597906
