I'm trying to set up a "Gloves off" campaign locally, and running into a barrier when it comes to CoSHH. 2 of the products we use for disinfection of medical devices and surfaces suggest glove use in their safety data sheets. However, talking informally to other organisations who have adopted the campaign, this hasn't been an issue and staff use these products without gloves (certainly this is my own experience).
- Sani-Cloth CHG 2% wipes (SDS linked here) - Used to "scrub the hub" on intravenous access devices.
- MediPal Disinfectant wipes (SDS linked here) - Used as a 'universal' wipe.
Can anyone give any advice or share experiences about this barrier? Thanks!
No advice, but in my experience I don't know of anyone to put gloves on to use the above wipes!
When we "scrub the hub" we are connecting IV lines, and although I often don't wear gloves, the policy is to and it seems most other nurses do..
our local policy is to use a single pair of gloves during the drug preparation and connection phase which was based on ANTT.org guidelines apparently. This means we wouldn't remove the gloves before opening the wipe packet anyway. Don't know if that helps
I always run through the fluid into the giving set in the clean utility room. It seems our policy is to wear gloves at that stage. I don't unless being observed by someone who I think will pull me up on it. Then I go to the patients bedside and this it the point where I feel like I must always touch their bedclothes, or pull a table out of the way - in other words contaminating the already non-sterile gloves. So then I don the gloves (but still often touch the controls on the pump before the patient is connected). Having started nursing 40 years ago we didn't wear gloves when drawing up or giving IM or SC injections, or changing bags of IV fluids. We didn't use to give IV drugs in those days, but the Drs who did did not wear gloves.
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