Personal Protective Equipment–Gloves
Policy
Gloves must be worn when handling blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, and/or non-intact skin.
Policy Implementation
All employees must wear gloves when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, and/or non-intact skin.
Gloves shall be used only once and discarded into the appropriate receptacle located in the room in which the procedure is being performed.
The use of gloves will vary according to the procedure involved. The use of disposable gloves is indicated:
- when it is likely that the employee’s hands will come in contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, and/or non-intact skin while performing the procedure;
- when the employee has any cuts, wounds, or scrapes on his or her hands;
- when the employee’s hands are chapped or have a skin rash or skin condition;
- when handling soiled linen or items that may be contaminated;
- during instrumental examination of oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract;
- when examining abraded or non-intact skin or patients with active bleeding;
- during invasive procedures; and
- during all cleaning of blood, body fluids, and decontaminating procedures.
Gloves must be made of appropriate material, usually intact latex or intact vinyl, of appropriate quality for the procedures performed and of appropriate size for each employee.
Do not wash surgical or examination gloves. Disinfect them for reuse.
General purpose utility (rubber) gloves worn by maintenance, environmental services, laundry, or other non-medical personnel may be decontaminated and reused in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not use all-purpose gloves if they are peeling, cracked, or discolored, or if they have punctures, tears, or other evidence of deterioration.
Wash your hands after removing gloves.
Hypoallergenic gloves, glove liners, powderless gloves, or other similar alternatives are available to those employees who are allergic to the gloves normally provided.
Employees will receive training relative to the use of gloves and other protective equipment prior to being assigned tasks that involve potential exposure to blood or body fluids and when new or modified protective equipment or procedures have been introduced into the workplace.
References
State Operations Manual. (2023). Appendix PP: §483.80(a) Infection prevention and control program: F880
§483.70(b) Compliance with Federal, State, and Local Laws and Professional Standards: F836
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and Enforcement Standards. [OSHA]. Retrieved from osha.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [CDC]. Retrieved from cdc.gov/niosh/latexalt.html