Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare Settings
Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present significant challenges in modern healthcare, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Examination gloves play a critical role in infection prevention by serving as a barr...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nursing Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/9 |
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| author | Jorge Freitas Alexandre Lomba Samuel Sousa Viviana Gonçalves Paulo Brois Esmeralda Nunes Isabel Veloso David Peres Paulo Alves |
| author_facet | Jorge Freitas Alexandre Lomba Samuel Sousa Viviana Gonçalves Paulo Brois Esmeralda Nunes Isabel Veloso David Peres Paulo Alves |
| author_sort | Jorge Freitas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present significant challenges in modern healthcare, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Examination gloves play a critical role in infection prevention by serving as a barrier to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between healthcare workers and patients. This manuscript aims to provide consensus-based guidelines for the optimal selection, use, and disposal of examination gloves in healthcare settings, addressing both infection prevention and environmental sustainability. Methods: The guidelines were developed using a multi-stage Delphi process involving healthcare experts from various disciplines. Recommendations were structured to ensure compliance with international regulations and sustainability frameworks aligned with the One Health approach and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results: Key recommendations emphasize selecting gloves based on clinical needs and compliance with EN 455 standards. Sterile gloves are recommended for surgical and invasive procedures, while non-sterile gloves are suitable for routine care involving contact with blood and other body fluids or contaminated surfaces. Proper practices include performing hand hygiene before and after glove use, avoiding glove reuse, and training healthcare providers on donning and removal techniques to minimize cross-contamination. Disposal protocols should follow local clinical waste management regulations, promoting sustainability through recyclable or biodegradable materials whenever feasible. Conclusions: These consensus-based guidelines aim to enhance infection control, improve the safety of patients and healthcare workers, and minimize environmental impact. By adhering to these evidence-based practices, grounded in European regulations, healthcare settings can establish safe and sustainable glove management systems that serve as a model for global practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-020f4e60defd4dc78ff85269a4e58c03 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2039-439X 2039-4403 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nursing Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-020f4e60defd4dc78ff85269a4e58c032025-01-24T13:44:27ZengMDPI AGNursing Reports2039-439X2039-44032025-01-01151910.3390/nursrep15010009Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare SettingsJorge Freitas0Alexandre Lomba1Samuel Sousa2Viviana Gonçalves3Paulo Brois4Esmeralda Nunes5Isabel Veloso6David Peres7Paulo Alves8Oncology Medicine Service, Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto (IPO-Porto), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalOperating Room Department, Unidade Local Saúde São José, 1150-199 Lisbon, PortugalICU Unidade Local Saúde Alto-Minho, 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, PortugalCirurgia Cardiotorácica, Unidade Local de Saúde São João, 1150-199 Lisbon, PortugalOperating Room Department, Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo, 7801-849 Beja, PortugalOperating Room Department, Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto (IPO-Porto), 4200-072 Porto, PortugalLocal Unit of the Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, Unidade Local de Saúde de Braga, 4710-243 Braga, PortugalNational Infection Control Association (ANCI), 1749-008 Lisbon, PortugalEscola Enfermagem (Porto), Faculdade Ciências da Saúde e Enfermagem, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, PortugalBackground/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present significant challenges in modern healthcare, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Examination gloves play a critical role in infection prevention by serving as a barrier to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between healthcare workers and patients. This manuscript aims to provide consensus-based guidelines for the optimal selection, use, and disposal of examination gloves in healthcare settings, addressing both infection prevention and environmental sustainability. Methods: The guidelines were developed using a multi-stage Delphi process involving healthcare experts from various disciplines. Recommendations were structured to ensure compliance with international regulations and sustainability frameworks aligned with the One Health approach and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results: Key recommendations emphasize selecting gloves based on clinical needs and compliance with EN 455 standards. Sterile gloves are recommended for surgical and invasive procedures, while non-sterile gloves are suitable for routine care involving contact with blood and other body fluids or contaminated surfaces. Proper practices include performing hand hygiene before and after glove use, avoiding glove reuse, and training healthcare providers on donning and removal techniques to minimize cross-contamination. Disposal protocols should follow local clinical waste management regulations, promoting sustainability through recyclable or biodegradable materials whenever feasible. Conclusions: These consensus-based guidelines aim to enhance infection control, improve the safety of patients and healthcare workers, and minimize environmental impact. By adhering to these evidence-based practices, grounded in European regulations, healthcare settings can establish safe and sustainable glove management systems that serve as a model for global practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/9healthcare-associated infectionsantimicrobial resistanceexamination glovesinfection controlsustainability: wound care |
| spellingShingle | Jorge Freitas Alexandre Lomba Samuel Sousa Viviana Gonçalves Paulo Brois Esmeralda Nunes Isabel Veloso David Peres Paulo Alves Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare Settings Nursing Reports healthcare-associated infections antimicrobial resistance examination gloves infection control sustainability: wound care |
| title | Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare Settings |
| title_full | Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare Settings |
| title_fullStr | Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare Settings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare Settings |
| title_short | Consensus-Based Guidelines for Best Practices in the Selection and Use of Examination Gloves in Healthcare Settings |
| title_sort | consensus based guidelines for best practices in the selection and use of examination gloves in healthcare settings |
| topic | healthcare-associated infections antimicrobial resistance examination gloves infection control sustainability: wound care |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4403/15/1/9 |
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