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Do surgical personnel really need to double-glove?
1Ansell Healthcare, Red Bank, NJ, USA.
AORN Journal
|March 21, 2009
Summary
Healthcare practitioners should double-glove during all invasive procedures to prevent transmissible infections. This updated practice ensures the safety of both healthcare workers and patients, despite potential challenges in implementation.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Perioperative Nursing
- Public Health
Background:
- The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) updated its guidelines in 2007 regarding infection prevention.
- Previously, double gloving was suggested only for specific procedures, not universally recommended.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the evidence supporting double gloving for preventing transmissible infections in perioperative settings.
- To advocate for the adoption of universal double gloving among surgical personnel.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing research on the efficacy of double gloving in reducing pathogen transmission.
- Analysis of data on healthcare worker injuries and infection conversion rates (HIV, Hepatitis B).
Main Results:
- Compelling evidence supports double gloving for all surgical procedures.
- Identified challenges in implementing practice changes, including overcoming objections.
Conclusions:
- Universal double gloving is recommended to enhance safety for healthcare workers and patients.
- Strategies exist to overcome barriers to implementing this crucial safety practice.
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