Transcending the latex barrier: the therapeutics of comfort touch in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Comfort touch has a positive impact on patient outcomes. When using Latex gloves, nurses often overlook the importance of skin-to-skin contact in effective comfort touch. Comfort touch is especially essential in vulnerable populations that are already experiencing several physical and emotional losses. Nurses' attitudes and fears may be a contributing factor to comfort touch not always being provided in caring for patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The article discusses the therapeutics of comfort touch and explores the issues surrounding the absence of comfort touch in nursing interactions in patients with AIDS. Suggestions are made for nursing practice, education, and research.
Butts
J B
JB
Janes
S
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005239:Fear; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018939:Holistic Nursing; D006801:Humans; D019124:Therapeutic Touch