Clean versus sterile gloves: which to use for postoperative dressing changes?

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Infection Control

Background:

• Staff nurses play a crucial role in implementing evidence-based practice.
• A common practice in acute care involves using sterile gloves for postoperative wound dressing changes.
• A challenge arose questioning the necessity of sterile versus non-sterile gloves for this procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply a model for evidence-based practice change concerning glove use in wound care.
• To evaluate the existing evidence supporting the use of sterile gloves for postoperative wound dressing changes.
• To determine if a practice change to non-sterile gloves was justified.

Main Methods:

• Staff nurses in an acute care setting led the initiative.
• A comprehensive literature search was conducted to gather evidence on glove use in wound care.
• The evidence was critically appraised to inform practice decisions.

Main Results:

• The literature search revealed insufficient scientific evidence to support changing from sterile to non-sterile gloves.
• Existing evidence did not justify discontinuing the use of sterile gloves for postoperative wound dressing changes.
• The practice of using sterile gloves was maintained based on the available evidence.

Conclusions:

• Based on the current evidence, a practice change to non-sterile gloves was not supported.
• Staff nurses successfully applied an evidence-based practice model to evaluate a clinical procedure.
• Maintaining the use of sterile gloves is recommended for postoperative wound dressing changes in the absence of contrary evidence.