Protocol to practice: Single to double gloving

Many factors can influence the patient outcome from an infection point of view, so it is important that these factors are optimised to optimise patient safety in the OR. One measure in the perioperative setting is moving from a single gloving to a double gloving protocol for surgical procedures contributing to infection control.

Challenges to changes

Double gloving, though widely adopted in the Swedish surgical context, hasn’t always been easy to implement. With statistics and evidence as well as implementation methodologies, surgical departments can move from challenges to changes.

Motivating change

If patient safety and potential risk reduction weren’t enough reason to double glove, the evidence backs double gloving practice. Healthcare organisations, such as the American and European CDC, support the adoption of double gloving. A solid, easy-to-follow model of implementation can make adoption easier.

Change in the OR is challenging but possible, particularly with evidence and clear models of implementation available to motivate change. Shifting to a double gloving protocol is one such example where change can deliver a reduced risk of infection and better patient outcomes.

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