When I started working in the operating room, I was taught that double gloving was only for orthopedics. In other specialties, most surgical teams just didn’t see the need to wear more than one set of gloves. Yes, orthopedics is a specialty that is exposed to more sharps than most, but the benefits of double gloving reach across the lines of the various specialties. Everyone can benefit from double gloving, regardless of the type of surgery they are doing.
There are many benefits of double gloving, and you can find so much data with just a simple search. But today I wanted to talk about the three biggest benefits I see to double gloving.
Three benefits of double gloving:
#1 – Protection
The biggest benefit to double gloving is the increased level of protection it provides. As much as we hope to avoid it, gloves get punctured frequently. Whether it’s from picking up a sharp instrument that tears through the glove, a blade that slices the glove, or a suture needle that pokes through the glove, we all know that gloves tear or can be punctured. When the inevitable occurs, the presence of a second glove can reduce the risk of exposure to patient blood by as much as 87 percent! Also, when a dirty suture needle passes through two gloves, the volume of patient blood is reduced by as much as 95 percent. That’s a huge reduction in the viral load on the needle if it also breaks through your skin. [source]
#2 – Awareness
Another benefit to double gloving is that tears in single gloves are not always noticeable. Research shows that most punctures are tiny, and only identified after the surgery, not at the time they occur. [source] Double gloving helps improve your awareness. And, using colored undergloves is a practice that will improve your ability to see a tear in your outer glove. The colored underglove acts as an indicator of sorts – it alerts you when you need to change your outer glove.
#3 – Reduce Surgical Site Infections
The third benefit to double gloving is that it helps reduce the risk of surgical site infections. Just like double gloving protects us from exposure to any pathogen the patient might have, it also reduces the risk that we will transmit any kind of bloodborne pathogen to the patient. An unseen tear in your gloves could potentially expose your patient to whatever pathogen you may be carrying. By wearing two pairs of gloves, you’re reducing that risk. Remember, surgical site infections are a big deal – they result in longer hospital stays, repeat surgeries, and increased patient mortality. Adopting the simple practice of double gloving is one way that we can help protect our patients and improve their outcomes.
Changing your practice is in your hands.
I couldn’t help that pun 😂 But, the truth is the same. If you’re not already in the habit of double gloving, it’s up to you to adopt a better practice. Multiple organizations, including AORN and the CDC, recommend double gloving. This practice provides a safer environment for us and for our patients. The benefits of protection, awareness, and reduced surgical site infections are just a few of the many reasons why this is so strongly recommended. So change your current practice to best practice. Double glove with each procedure and encourage your team members to do the same.
Protect yourself. Protect your patients.
Until next time,
Melanie
