Use of gloves in the community: why, when, which and how?

The use of gloves has become routine since the early 1980s. It is recognized that they have an important part to play in the protection of both staff and patient/clients in the prevention of cross-infection. However, as choices relating to glove usage have increased over the years, health-care staff need to adopt a risk assessment approach, considering why, when, which and how gloves should be used. This article outlines the different types of gloves available and when they should be used.