Buzz
Medical professionals frequently utilize sterile gloves and must understand the correct method for donning them. Proper application can prevent the transmission and contraction of infectious diseases to both the patient and the healthcare provider. You can don sterile gloves by ensuring your hands are clean and then slipping them into the gloves.
Procedure
Ensuring Clean Hands
Select the correct glove size. Sterile gloves are available in various sizes, which can differ among manufacturers. Experiment with different pairs until you find the perfect fit. Once you've found the right size, discard the gloves you tested and replace them with a new, completely sterile pair. Look for the following signs to determine the right size for your hand:
- Comfortable hand movement
- No skin friction
- Minimal sweating
- Little or no hand fatigue
Take off any jewelry. While not obligatory, consider removing rings, bracelets, or other jewelry from your hands. These items could potentially contaminate your gloves or hinder the process of putting them on, leading to discomfort. Removing jewelry also reduces the risk of glove tearing.
- Store your jewelry in a secure location where you can easily retrieve it after putting on your gloves.
Clean your hands thoroughly. Before handling your gloves or donning sterile gloves, wash your hands diligently. Apply soap to your hands and rub them together under running water for at least 20 seconds. Ensure thorough rinsing of your hands and wrists before drying them.
- If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Some sterile procedures may require specific types of soap and differing durations of hand scrubbing.
Keep your hands above waist level. After thoroughly cleaning your hands, refrain from allowing them to drop below your waistline. Keeping them elevated can help minimize the risk of contamination. If your hands do descend below waist level, repeat the handwashing process before donning your gloves.
- Standing may assist in maintaining your arms above waist level.
Putting on Your Gloves
Unwrap the sterile glove package. Inspect the package for tears, discoloration, or moisture, and discard it if compromised. Open the outer wrapping of the package carefully, starting from the top, then bottom, and finally the side. Remember, you're only permitted to touch within a 1-inch margin. This will reveal the sterile inner package containing your gloves.
- Ensure that your gloves are not expired before putting them on, as sterile gloves also have a shelf life.
Discard the inner wrapping. Remove the inner wrapping and place it on a sanitized surface. Ensure that both sterile gloves are visible through the packaging to confirm proper opening of the package.
Select the glove for your dominant hand. Using your non-dominant hand, grasp the glove designated for your dominant hand. Handle only the inner side of the glove cuff (the part that will come into contact with your skin). Starting with the dominant hand glove can reduce the risk of tearing or contamination on the hand you use most frequently.
Apply the glove to your dominant hand. Allow the glove to drape with the fingers pointing downward. Ensure that your hands remain positioned between waist and shoulder height to maintain sterility. Then, insert your dominant hand into the glove with your palm facing upward and fingers spread apart.
- Remember to touch only the inner surface of the glove to prevent potential contamination.
- Adjustments should be made after donning the other glove.
Slide on the second glove. Insert the fingers of your gloved hand into the folded cuff of the other glove and lift it up. Keeping your second hand flat with the palm facing upward, position the glove over your fingers. Then, pull the second glove over your hand.
- Keep your gloved hand elevated to avoid contact with your bare palm or wrist.
Fine-tune your gloves. Once both gloves are in place, you can adjust them as needed. Reach beneath the cuff of each glove to pull them up or make any necessary modifications. Avoid inserting your fingers between the glove and your skin. Smooth out each glove on your hands, ensuring a snug fit without restricting circulation or causing discomfort.
Inspect the gloves for any tears. Carefully examine both hands and gloves for any signs of damage. If you detect any visible tears, rips, or imperfections, wash your hands again and replace the gloves with a new pair.
Recommendations
Cautions
- If you accidentally come into contact with your skin or any other surface while donning the gloves, they are considered contaminated.
- In case of any contamination, wash your hands again before putting on a fresh pair of sterile gloves.
- Learning the correct technique for donning sterile gloves can be challenging and may require practice. Familiarize yourself with the process well before performing any procedures that necessitate their use.
- The method outlined above is referred to as the 'open glove technique,' suitable for use without a surgical gown. In settings where a gown is worn, such as the operating room (OR), the preferred method is the 'closed-glove technique,' as mandated by formal policy in most medical facilities.
Essential Items
- Tidy workspace
- Hand soap or alcohol-based sanitizer
- Sterile gloves
