Exploring the overuse of non-sterile gloves in operating theatres: a cross-sectional survey and interview study

To identify factors influencing unnecessary non-sterile glove use in operating theatres and to estimate how common these factors are across the UK.

Mixed-methods study using interviews and a cross-sectional survey.

Imperial College Healthcare Trust for interviews and nationally across the UK for the survey.

19 interviewees and 329 survey respondents, all clinical staff working in UK operating theatres.

Barriers and facilitators to unnecessary non-sterile glove use in operating theatres.

The findings highlight a combination of key drivers leading to the unnecessary use of non-sterile gloves: (1) lack of prioritisation of sustainability, (2) fears around negative patient outcomes, (3) strong social influences such as norms to use gloves, (4) the absence of clear guidelines and limited training on glove use, (5) availability of alternatives and quality of gloves and (6) beliefs about personal safety and habitual glove use. Respondents also suggested potential intervention strategies.

67% of participants reported using gloves unnecessarily. Our findings highlight the role of habitual behaviour, social influences and unclear guidelines in driving this practice. Interventions should address these factors, for example, by clearly communicating when gloves should and should not be worn, encouraging changes to local social norms towards waste reduction, improving access to hand gel and supporting habit change to reduce unnecessary glove use and associated environmental impact.