July 20, 2007

Myths and facts about using gloves

Since the mid-1980s, the use of gloves by health care workers has increased significantly. Standard Precautions — an approach to patient care intended to protect clinicians from exposure to blood and body fluids and prevent transmission of infection between patients — require gloves be worn during activities where contact with blood or other infectious materials might be expected. Standard Precautions also require gloves be removed, followed immediately by hand hygiene, once a task is completed.

An unintended consequence of Standard Precautions has been the overuse of gloves. There is a common misconception that gloves are required for patient contact even when there is little or no risk of contact with blood or body fluids. Generally, patients may be touched with clean ungloved hands. Transporters do not need to wear gloves when moving patients on stretchers and in wheelchairs, including patients on Contact Precautions. Specimens contained in closed bags and carriers also should be transported without wearing gloves. However, transporters should carry a pair of gloves with them in case the need for protection arises.

Gloves also should not be used as a substitute for hand hygiene. Health care providers may mistakenly believe that gloves alone prevent the spread of germs from patient to patient. It is essential that MGHers understand that gloves do not eliminate the need for hand hygiene both before and after glove use. Appropriate glove use protects both patients and health care providers.

Do’s and Don’ts for proper glove use

• Don’t wear gloves in public areas.
• Don't routinely wear gloves to transport patients. If gloves must be worn during transport, one member of the care team needs to have at least one clean, ungloved hand for contact with surfaces such as elevator buttons or doors.
• Do remove gloves carefully and discard into the nearest appropriate receptacle.
• Do practice hand hygiene before using gloves and immediately after removing them.

For more information about the appropriate use of gloves, call the Infection Control Unit at (617) 726-2036.