Using gloves inappropriately in long-term care facilities can help the spread of pathogenic organisms, potentially leading to health care-associated infections. In a descriptive, structured observational study, in which nursing behavior was recorded by trained observers, the researchers examined the glove use behaviors of 74 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who performed toileting and perineal care at one long-term care facility in the midwestern United States.

The researchers found that CNAs wore gloves 80% of the time during patient care "touch points," which occurred when the CNA touched any part of the patient or the patient's environment. However, CNAs failed to change their gloves 66% of the time when such a change was indicated, even though gloves were readily available in many areas of the facility. Moreover, CNAs touched surfaces with contaminated gloves 44% of the time during patient care touch points. None of the CNAs touched body fluids or other potentially infectious materials with their bare hands.

These results suggest that long-term care facilities' infection control practices, which typically focus on hand hygiene, should also include monitoring of proper glove use. The researchers concluded that better education on infection-control procedures in these settings is needed, particularly regarding the proper use of gloves.

REFERENCE