Failure to Change Gloves Increases HAI Risk to Patients
In a September issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, a study found that certified nurse assistants were not changing gloves as often as they should and causing more harm than good. Researchers observed healthcare providers (HCP) such as certified nurse assistants and found that inapt glove use was causing high contaminated touch points especially in areas of perineal care and toileting assistance. The study used a glove use surveillance tool (GUST) to record the types of surfaces that were touched, if those surfaces were touched with a glove and at what point during the patient care event, and the sequence of glove wearing by the HCP.
The study did confirm that the facilities in which they conducted their research did have ample gloves available in all areas of the facilities and did have guidelines for correct hand washing and glove use procedures based on the CDC requirements for standard precautions. Therefore they concluded that glove use behavior needs to be monitored more closely and any observations should be brought to light so that we can correct our behaviors and reduce the risk of disease transmission.