Health care worker group releases flier on the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ of wearing gloves

Arlington, VA – The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology has created a flier detailing best practices for proper use of different types of gloves in health care settings.

The flier outlines what health care workers should and should not do when using sterile, non-sterile, non-medical and utility gloves.

Among the list of “Do’s”:

• Wear the correct type of properly fitting gloves to reduce the risk of contamination; exposure to blood, other body fluids and hazardous materials; and transmission of infection.
• Clean hands before putting on gloves and after taking them off.
• Change gloves between every task.
• Follow the facility’s policy on glove use.

Don’t:

• Reuse or wash gloves, except for utility gloves after they are properly cleaned.
• Use damaged or visibly soiled gloves.
• Touch your face when wearing gloves.
• Wear the same pair of gloves from one patient to another.