Germ free gloves, also commonly known as disposable gloves, have become a fundamental part of the healthcare industry especially in recent times. Doctors, nurses and care assistants are all expected to wear disposable gloves in applications where infectious diseases transmitted during skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur.
The main use of disposable gloves is to ensure that both patients and medical professionals are protected from accidental contact. The gloves also help to prevent exposure to drugs, chemicals, and other dangerous substances commonly used in medical facilities. As such, this article will discuss:
- When and how should germ free gloves be worn
- What to be mindful for in germ free gloves
- Best places to store disposable gloves
When and How Should Germ Free Gloves be Worn?
There are many times when medical professionals, doctors and other industries like care home assistants should wear disposable gloves. This is to prevent/control the risk of the users coming into contact with blood, mucous membranes or other bodily fluids as previously discussed.
For gloves to work effectively, they need to be fitted properly. What is meant by this is that if we take a Latex glove as an example, it is vital for them to fit almost perfectly as this will enhance accuracy and users range of motion.
Ordering a glove size that is too large for a user’s hand will mean that the comfort and practicality of the glove is weakened. As a consequence of this, if a surgeon has incorrect sized gloves when performing surgery, their touch sensitivity and dexterity could be hindered – clearly something which is undesirable when performing surgery to a patient.
When choosing the right type of glove for a certain application, it’s important to undertake a risk assessment before the task is performed. This should include:
- What the nature of the procedure is
- Whether there’s a risk of contamination of bodily fluids
- Whether the person or people involved have any sensitivities to certain glove materials.
When looking at the final bullet point, Latex can cause allergic reactions. This is because certain proteins found in the natural rubber of the material causes the body to mistake the material into thinking it is a harmful substance, causing the body to trigger certain antibodies to fight it off. As a result of this, an allergic reaction can take place.
What to be Mindful of in Germ Free Gloves
Bacteria can multiply considerably under the gloves. It is fair to say that anyone who has ever had to wear any kind of disposable glove for a lengthened period of time knows just how hot and sweaty it can make your hands. You can only imagine the amount of bacteria build up that can accumulate when gloves need to be worn for full on working days and sometimes longer!
With this in mind, it’s vital that those wishing to utilise germ free gloves should maintain a strict and consistent hand hygiene plan before putting the gloves on. This is because it helps decrease the number of bacteria on the hands which otherwise would inevitably grow back by the time you have finished with the gloves. A simple hand sanitiser before, during and after disposable glove use is recommended.
Disposal
Disposing of germ free gloves correctly is a vital practice once you have finished with your application. It’s also crucial to ensure that gloves are removed and disposed of after every use to prevent the spread of bacteria. For more information on the correct way to dispose of contaminated gloves, view our blog on our website.
Top Places to Store Germ Free Gloves
While we know germ free gloves are utilised on professional healthcare environments, they can be just as effective when utilised and stored at home. As such, below we have come up with the ideal places in your house where disposable gloves can be stored before requiring them for any potentially hazardous application.
Bathrooms
A handy place to keep disposable gloves is in the bathroom. They can be very useful for cleaning as they prevent any harsh chemicals from coming into contact with your skin. They’re also useful when doing jobs that no one particularly enjoys. For example, cleaning the toilet or fishing hair from the sinks’ plughole.
Furthermore, they are useful for hair dying applications. Hair dye on your skin is very difficult to remove because it stains quite considerably. By storing disposable gloves in the bathroom, you can better protect your hands from harsh chemicals and embarrassing stains.
Car
Most people have certain supplies that they store in their car in case of an emergency. Water bottles and in-date snacks are examples that spring to mind for standard car supplies. However, have you ever considered stockpiling germ-free gloves in your car?. These can be a good idea as If you need to change a tyre or check oil levels, the gloves can protect your hands from dirt, scrapes and can so offer extra grip when tightening bolts.
First Aid Kit
A final place where you should store disposable gloves is in first aid kits. Every home and business should have a well-stocked first aid kit in the event of emergencies. This is where It can be a good idea to keep sterile gloves just in case any serious accidents occur.
