True or False
Gloves should be worn when recording vital signs.
False (unless patients are on additional precautions)
What should you do after removing gloves?
Place gloves in the appropriate waste stream, then wash hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
What is an environmental benefit to only using gloves when you actually need them?
Produces less waste and helps our health system to reduce its carbon footprint.
Are gloves needed when transporting a patient or helping them to mobilize?
No for non-isolated patients.
Gloves are only required for patients on Contact Precautions Plus and Enhanced Contact Precautions, for patients on cytotoxic precautions, or other circumstances based on PoCRA (i.e., mobilizing a patient on cytotoxic medications with various links and catheters in-situ)
Gloves should be worn if coming into contact with blood or bodily fluids.
True
Should you wear gloves for patients on routine contact (or droplet) precautions?
Yes. Non-isolated patients do not require gloves.
How long does it take a single non-sterile nitrile glove to break down in landfill?
100 - 200 years
Are gloves required when drawing up IV medications?
Usually not. The exception is when handling cytotoxic drugs or corrosive medications.
Wearing gloves helps protect against skin irritation.
False. A 20-second hand wash, followed by lotion, is better for your skin health than wearing gloves.
Do gloves replace hand hygiene?
No. Gloves never replace the need for hand hygiene.
Order the following from highest to lowest carbon footprint: 3ml of hand sanitizer, one glove, one 20-second hand wash.
Highest carbon footprint: 1 glove
Second highest: 20-second hand wash
Lowest carbon footprint: 3ml hand sanitizer
What can I do to protect my skin from redness, dryness and cracking?
Opt for hand-washing over gloves when it's safe to do so and use lotion afterwards. Overuse of gloves makes skin irritation worse.
You should always put on gloves when entering a patient's room.
False.
Gloves are only required for patients on Contact Precautions Plus and Enhanced Contact Precautions, for patients on cytotoxic precautions, or other circumstances based on PoCRA.
Choose gloves only for tasks that require them.
Are gloves needed when giving oral medications?
No - unless glove use is indicated for other reasons (e.g., patient is on additional precautions, cytotoxic drugs)
Approximately how many gloves does our unit use in 16 weeks (winter months)?
LMH 3 South = 181,750 gloves used
PAH - Weatherby 1 = 150,480 gloves used
PAH - Al Hogg Floor 3 = 103,750 gloves used
Data are from the same timeframe as this pilot project, January to May 2024.
What kinds of chemical hazards require gloves?
Gloves should be worn when coming into contact with cytotoxic drugs, disinfectants, and preserving agents.
It is okay to store gloves in my pocket.
False. Gloves can come into contact with contaminants in your pocket and should not be placed there, either before or after use.
When is it appropriate to double glove?
Almost never. This should be avoided except in specific cases of high-threat pathogens (e.g., Ebola).
In the case of a glove quality concern, report deficiencies to the Product Investigation Centre Portal on healthbc.org. Poor quality gloves that break easily should no longer be in circulation as of January 2025.
How many times could you drive from Vancouver to Chicago (and back) to have the SAME carbon footprint as glove use on our unit for 16 weeks?
LMH 3 South: 5.5 times
PAH - Weatherby 1: 4.5 times
PAH - Al Hogg Floor 3: 3 times
How can I encourage my colleagues to reduce inappropriate glove use?
Model the right behaviours, talk to them respectfully if you notice inappropriate use, continue to encourage and educate one another.