The Importance Of Medical Gloves

In a medical setting, gloves are among the most common forms of personal protective equipment (PPE). Medical gloves are usually part of mandatory contact precautions—and for a good reason. Let us closely examine the critical part they play in keeping you safe and how best to use them to achieve the most benefits.

Curbing the Spread of Infection

Wearing gloves is one of the best ways to control the spread of infections, keeping healthcare workers and patients safe. Most disease-causing microorganisms spread through contact; the most common contact point is your hand. Wearing gloves creates a barrier to this type of transmission, thus breaking the chain.

Delaying the Harmful Impact of Exposure to Pathogens

Whenever there is a spill of infected bodily fluids such as blood, you cannot completely rule out the chances of the germs seeping through to your skin. However, when wearing gloves, you get a few precious seconds before this happens, sufficient time to remove and dispose of the gloves. Therefore, this piece of PPE delays exposure to harmful pathogens.

Reducing the Risk of Contamination

Another vital role that gloves play in medical settings is acting as a barrier between bare hands and sterile equipment. Cross-contamination typically happens when pathogens move from one surface to another. Proper use of gloves, which we explore in greater detail below, considerably reduces this.

Do’s and Don’ts for Proper Use of Medical Gloves

Research reveals that even though gloves play the above critical roles, their efficacy greatly depends on appropriate use. In that vein, here are some essential tips to remember when using these PPE items:

• Do: Wear gloves anytime you plan to touch bodily fluids, skin that is not intact, or mucous membranes. It is crucial to do this even when dealing with a patient with no visible signs of illness.
• Do: Choose the right gloves for your hands and different procedures and settings. Choosing the right size will keep the gloves from ripping and ensure that objects and fluids do not find their way inside. Remember that multiple types are used in the health care setting, including surgical and examination gloves. These vary in elasticity and strength. Therefore, choosing the right type will offer the best protection. Remember that disposable gloves come in various materials, including latex gloves, nitrile gloves, and vinyl gloves. Pick out the most appropriate one for use in the right context of health care.
• Do: Follow the right procedure during removal. Without touching your bare skin, peel off the first one from the wrist to the fingertips and hold it inside out. Place two fingers into the second one, peel it off onto the first one, and discard them into the right waste disposal bin. Immediately after removing them, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you are not in a position to wash immediately, use a hand sanitizer.
• Don’t: Never wear the same pair of gloves for more than two hours, and don’t touch common items and surfaces while wearing them.

Ensuring Efficacy While Using Gloves

The use of disposable gloves in medical settings plays numerous vital roles. However, these PPE products are only effective if you use them appropriately. Remember the above pointers for their proper use to ensure the utmost efficacy.