Medical asepsis, often called clean technique, involves practices aimed at reducing the number of microorganisms and preventing their spread in healthcare settings. Gloves serve as a primary physical barrier during these tasks. They protect both healthcare workers and patients from the transmission of infectious agents. Hand hygiene remains the foundational step, and gloves never replace handwashing. Wearing gloves creates a false sense of security if hand hygiene is neglected before putting them on and immediately after taking them off.
Gloves are worn whenever contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is anticipated. Nurses must assess each clinical procedure to determine if barrier protection is necessary.
Selecting the correct glove type and material depends on the nature of the task and patient allergies. Healthcare facilities typically stock examination and surgical gloves made from different polymers.
| Glove Type | Usage Setting | Sterility | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Routine care, non-surgical | Non-sterile (usually) | Protect worker from patient/fluids |
| Surgical | Operating rooms, sterile procedures | Sterile | Protect sterile field and patient |
Material choices include latex, which offers high elasticity and tactile sensitivity but carries allergy risks; nitrile, known for excellent puncture resistance and chemical durability; and vinyl, an economical option for short, low-risk tasks.
Putting on gloves correctly ensures the barrier remains intact and uncontaminated before patient contact.
Removing gloves incorrectly is a frequent cause of self-contamination. Pathogens accumulated on the outer surface easily transfer to skin or clothing if doffing is rushed.
Improper glove use defeats their protective purpose and spreads pathogens across the hospital environment. Common mistakes include wearing the same pair for multiple patients, touching environmental surfaces with contaminated gloves, and failing to wash hands after removal. Gloves do not provide absolute protection against needle-stick injuries. Furthermore, washing or using alcohol rubs on disposable gloves breaks down the material and is strictly discouraged.