Gloves for non-surgical procedures must be used, in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, in any contact with the patient or his surroundings (contact precaution). When the procedure to be performed on the patient requires aseptic technique, sterile (surgical procedure) gloves must be used.
Recommendations regarding the use of gloves by healthcare professionals are:
• Gloves must be placed inside the patient’s room/box or area where the patient is isolated.
• Gloves must be removed, using proper technique, while still in the room or isolation area and disposed of as infectious waste.
Correct glove removal technique to avoid hand contamination:
– Remove the gloves by pulling the first one on the outside of the cuff with the fingers of the opposite hand.
– Hold the removed glove with the other gloved hand.
– Touch the inside of the wrist of the gloved hand with the opposite (non-gloved) index finger and remove the other glove.
• Perform hand hygiene immediately after removing gloves.
• Never leave the room/box or isolation area with gloves on.
• Never unnecessarily touch surfaces and materials (such as telephones, doorknobs, doors) when wearing gloves.
• Do not wash or reuse the same pair of gloves (gloves should never be reused).
• The use of gloves is not a substitute for hand hygiene.
• Two gloves should not be used for patient care, this action does not guarantee more safety for care.
• The use of gloves is not recommended when the professional is not assisting the patient.
An indispensable item in the daily life of a hospital or any other place that takes care of health are procedure gloves. However, for each purpose there is a different type of glove that must be used, in addition, its material can also vary and the health professional needs to be aware of this detail.
Normally, gloves are disposable precisely to prevent any type of contamination. In addition, they can and should be used in different sectors of the hospital environment, from the cleaning department to doctors and nurses.
With regard to procedure gloves, basically, they serve in several clinical situations in which the professional needs to have contact with dirty objects, body fluids, blood and other secretions.
By paying attention to these details, you won’t have any problems using any types of procedure gloves. After all, each of them will fulfill its function, which is protection. Just be sure to check that they are intact before use. Acquiring good quality products helps to reduce the risks to which the professional is exposed.