Proper Glove Use
Gloves have two purposes:
- Prevent transmission of micro-organisms from the healthcare provider’s hands to the patient
- Reduce the risk of providers acquiring infection from patients
You should wear gloves only when indicated in the Hand Hygiene Pyramid, otherwise they become a major risk for germ transmission.
Key points when indications for hand hygiene and glove use apply
Regarding the “before” indications, hand hygiene should immediately precede glove donning, when glove use is indicated.
Regarding the indications “after“, hand hygiene should immediately follow glove removal, when the indication follows a contact that has required gloves.
Glove use does NOT replace the need to perform hand hygiene!
