Proper glove use: a multi-centre before-after improvement project

In healthcare, excessive glove use increases the risk of spreading micro-organisms and amount of plastic waste. With no sustainable alternatives, reducing glove use is the primary mitigation strategy. The aim of the project was to understand healthcare workers' (HCW) perspectives on glove use, to evaluate if a behaviour change was achieved through an intervention, and to measure the reduction in glove use.

A multi-centre before-after improvement project was conducted in the south-western region of the Netherlands. First, a regional policy on glove use was formulated. At baseline, a Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behaviour (COM-B) questionnaire on glove use was distributed among HCW. The intervention comprised a toolbox for healthcare facilities and observations of glove use. Additionally, glove procurement statistics were gathered, and interviews about the perceived usefulness of the intervention were conducted.

The questionnaire had 1111 participants. The COM-B theme Opportunity scored lowest, while Behaviour scored highest. At baseline, 1550 observations were performed by 15 healthcare facilities, postintervention 940 observations were performed by six healthcare facilities, showing a significant decrease in unnecessary glove use by HCW (42.3% vs 25.9%, P < 0.001). Glove procurement statistics showed a significant decrease in one healthcare facility (P < 0.001). The overall grade of the intervention given by HCW was a 7.8 out of 10.

This project highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve issues related to the opportunity to wear gloves correctly. While the percentage of unnecessary use was notably high, interventions chosen by HCW can reduce this significantly, with potentially a positive impact on patient care and the environment.