Medical gloves: how to apply and remove

Microorganisms, pathogens and infectious agents (eg bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and prions) live in, on and all around us (Delves et al, 2017). Although these do not always present a threat, in some individuals, who may be susceptible or more likely to be exposed to larger numbers of organisms (patients and healthcare workers), they may enter the body and cause infection and disease (Ward, 2016). For this reason,  great care is taken in healthcare institutions to reduce the spread of these microorganisms.

One way that this can be achieved is by limiting the means of transmission, the most common being touch (direct or indirect). Hands are therefore a primary source of the spread of infection and, as such, hand hygiene is an essential preventive measure to reduce the risk of the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2017). However, although handwashing is effective, there

Before selecting which gloves are required, it is important to consider what the task or skill being undertaken entails and whom the gloves are protecting. Non-sterile gloves should be worn when carrying out non-invasive routine interventions, such as assisting with personal hygiene and when handling bed linen (Ratcliffe and Smith, 2014). When carrying out a clinical procedure, an aseptic non-touch technique risk assessment is additionally required in order to ascertain whether the procedure requires a standard or surgical aseptic non-touch technique approach. This involves assessing the difficulty of protecting the key parts and sites associated with the skill, while also considering the number and sizes of the key parts, environment, invasiveness and user competency (Association for Safe Aseptic Practice (ASAP), 2015).

For standard aseptic non-touch technique procedures, non-sterile gloves can be worn as the key parts and key sites are limited, such as in cannulation and venepuncture. However, for surgical

As health professionals, it is important to work within guidelines and policies, and use evidence-based practice (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018). Therefore, nurses must ensure that they are aware of the different application methods that are available and how these relate to the different types of gloves that can be used. Additionally, being able to correctly apply and remove gloves has been found to reduce the risk of contamination of health professionals' hands and consequently reduces the potential transmission of healthcare-associated infections (World Health Organization (WHO), 2009).

Hand health and hygiene

Before donning any gloves, make an assessment of hand health. If required, gather an appropriate dressing to cover areas of open skin, as these need to be adequately covered in order to prevent infectious agents from entering the body.

In order to remove transient microorganisms and reduce the number of resident microorganisms, undertake hand hygiene/cleaning using the correct procedure.

Nursing and Midwifery Council: standards of proficiency for registered nurses

Part 2: Procedures for the planning, provision and management of person-centred nursing care

9. Use evidence-based, best practice approaches for meeting needs for care and support with the prevention and management of infection, accurately assessing the person’s capacity for independence and self-care and initiating appropriate interventions

9.3 use effective aseptic, non-touch techniques

9.6 use evidence-based hand hygiene techniques

Association for Safe Aseptic Practice. Aseptic non touch technique: the ANTT clinical practice framework for all invasive clinical procedures from Surgery to Community Care. London: ASAP; 2015

Delves PJ, Martin SJ, Burton DR, Roitt IM. Roitt's essential immunology. 13th edn. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell; 2017 

Loveday HP, Wilson JA, Pratt RJ et al. epic3: national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals in England. J Hosp Infect. 2014;86(Suppl 1):S1-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-6701(13)60012-2 

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Healthcare-associated infections: prevention and control in primary and community care. 2017. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg139 (accessed 1 November 2023) 

Nursing and Midwifery Council. The Code. 2018. https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/nmc-publications/nmc-code.pdf (accessed 1 November 2023)

Ratcliffe S, Smith J. Factors influencing glove use in student nurses. Nurs Times. 2014;110(49):18–21. 

Ward D. Microbiology and infection prevention and control for nursing students. London: Sage; 2016 

World Health Organization (WHO). Glove use information leaflet. 2009. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/glove-use-information-leaflet-(revised-august-2009) (accessed 1 November 2023)