Hand Hygiene: Essential Before & After Glove Use

Hand hygiene is a crucial aspect of infection prevention and control, especially in healthcare settings. It's not just about washing your hands, but also understanding when and how to use gloves correctly. This includes performing hand hygiene before putting on gloves and after gloves are removed. Let's delve into the importance of these steps and the correct procedures to follow.

Why Hand Hygiene Before Gloves?

Before we discuss the importance of hand hygiene before glove use, it's essential to understand that gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene. They are a protective barrier that should be used in addition to, not instead of, proper hand hygiene. Here's why hand hygiene is crucial before glove use:

• Removal of Contaminants: Hands can carry various contaminants, including pathogens, dirt, and chemicals. Washing hands removes these contaminants, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
• Improved Glove Adhesion: Clean hands provide a better surface for gloves to adhere to, reducing the risk of gloves slipping off or tearing.
• Prevention of False Sense of Security: Without proper hand hygiene, there's a risk of creating a false sense of security. People may touch their faces or other surfaces without realizing they're still contaminated.

Correct Hand Hygiene Procedure Before Glove Use

Now that we understand the importance of hand hygiene before glove use, let's look at the correct procedure:

1. Wet your hands with water.
2. Apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap.
3. Rub your hands together to make a lather, if using soap.
4. Scrub all surfaces of your hands and fingers for at least 20 seconds. This includes the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
5. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
6. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
7. Put on gloves.

Why Hand Hygiene After Glove Removal?

Just as important as hand hygiene before glove use is hand hygiene after glove removal. Here's why:

• Removal of Contaminants: Gloves can become contaminated during use, and removing them without proper hand hygiene can lead to self-contamination.
• Prevention of Cross-Contamination: Without proper hand hygiene after glove removal, there's a risk of contaminating other surfaces or people.

Correct Hand Hygiene Procedure After Glove Removal

Here's the correct procedure for hand hygiene after glove removal:

1. Remove gloves by peeling them off from the cuff towards the wrist, turning them inside out.
2. Discard gloves immediately in a designated container.
3. Wet your hands with water.
4. Apply an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap.
5. Follow the same steps as before for scrubbing, rinsing, and drying your hands.

Table: Hand Hygiene vs. Glove Use

Here's a quick comparison of when to perform hand hygiene and when to use gloves:

Remember, gloves are a protective barrier, not a substitute for hand hygiene. Always perform hand hygiene before putting on gloves and after gloves are removed to ensure optimal infection prevention and control.