title: Sterile versus non-sterile glove use and aseptic technique.
abstract: There is evidence indicating that improvements in infection control practice can reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infection. This article explores the evidence base for glove use and aseptic technique. There is a lack of evidence regarding the influence of sterile versus clean gloves in clinical care. Therefore in practice, clean and aseptic techniques are often used interchangeably. Nurses must learn to select clean or aseptic technique, and therefore clean or sterile gloves, using a risk assessment protocol. Regular audits of aseptic technique and education are needed to improve care.
authors.affiliation: East Surrey Hospital, Surrey. ashley@flores.me.uk
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: D001207:Asepsis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000295:instrumentation*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009731:Nursing Audit; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017749:Total Quality Management; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology