Lesson Outline: Donning and Doffing Gloves

I. Introduction to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and

Gloves
 A. Definition of PPE:
o Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace
injuries and illnesses.
o Examples: gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection.
 B. Purpose of Gloves in Healthcare:
o To protect healthcare workers from exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions,
excretions, and contaminated items.
o To protect patients from microorganisms carried on the hands of healthcare
workers.
 C. Importance of Proper Donning and Doffing:
o Prevents self-contamination and cross-contamination.
o Crucial component of infection control and standard precautions.

II. Types of Gloves

 A. Non-Sterile (Clean) Gloves:
o Used for routine patient care activities where there is a risk of exposure to blood,
body fluids, or contaminated materials (e.g., taking vital signs, administering
medications, wound care).
 B. Sterile Gloves:
o Used for sterile procedures (e.g., surgical procedures, insertion of central lines,
urinary catheterization).
o Require a specific sterile donning technique.

III. Principles of Glove Use

 A. Hand Hygiene:
o Crucial step before donning and after doffing gloves.
o Use alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
 B. Glove Selection:
o Choose the correct type (sterile vs. non-sterile) and size.
 C. Single Use:
o Gloves are single-use items and should be changed between patients and tasks.
 D. Integrity Check:
o Inspect gloves for tears or punctures before use.
 E. Avoid Contamination:
o Do not touch clean surfaces with contaminated gloves.
IV. Donning Non-Sterile (Clean) Gloves
 A. Preparation:
o Perform hand hygiene.
o Ensure gloves are readily available and the correct size.
 B. Step-by-Step Procedure:
o 1. Select the correct size.
o 2. Pick up the first glove by the cuff with one hand.
o 3. Insert the opposite hand into the glove, pulling it over the hand.
o 4. Pick up the second glove by the cuff with the gloved hand (touching only the
outside of the glove).
o 5. Insert the remaining hand into the second glove, pulling it over the hand.
o 6. Adjust gloves for comfort and fit, ensuring no skin is exposed.

V. Doffing Non-Sterile (Clean) Gloves

 A. Purpose: To remove gloves without contaminating bare hands.
 B. Step-by-Step Procedure:
o 1. Grasp the outside of one glove near the cuff with the opposite gloved hand.
o 2. Peel the glove off, turning it inside out as you pull it away from the hand.
o 3. Hold the removed glove in the palm of the remaining gloved hand.
o 4. Slide ungloved fingers under the cuff of the remaining glove (touching only
the clean inside of the glove).
o 5. Peel the second glove off, turning it inside out and enclosing the first glove
within it.
o 6. Dispose of both gloves in the appropriate waste receptacle.
o 7. Perform hand hygiene immediately.

VI. Donning Sterile Gloves (Brief Overview)

 A. Purpose: To maintain sterility for aseptic procedures.
 B. Key Principles:
o Only touch the inside of the first glove with bare hands.
o Only touch the outside of the second glove with the gloved hand.
o Maintain sterility above the waist and away from the body.
 C. General Steps (Demonstration Recommended):
o 1. Perform hand hygiene.
o 2. Open the outer package of sterile gloves.
o 3. Open the inner package, exposing the gloves.
o 4. With one hand, pick up the cuff of the first glove by its folded edge
(touching only the inside of the cuff).
o 5. Insert the opposite hand into the glove.
o 6. With the gloved hand, slide fingers under the cuff of the second glove
(touching only the sterile outside).
 o 7. Insert the remaining hand into the second glove.
o 8. Adjust gloves without contaminating the sterile outer surface.

VII. Doffing Sterile Gloves

 A. Same procedure as doffing non-sterile gloves.
 B. Dispose of gloves in the appropriate waste receptacle.
 C. Perform hand hygiene immediately.

VIII. Common Errors and Troubleshooting

 A. Rips or Tears: Replace gloves immediately.
 B. Contamination: Stop, doff, perform hand hygiene, and re-glove.
 C. Incorrect Size: Can lead to tearing or poor dexterity.
 D. Skipping Hand Hygiene: Increases infection risk.

IX. Conclusion & Summary

 A. Review: Recap the steps for donning and doffing both non-sterile and sterile gloves.
 B. Emphasis: Reiterate that proper glove use is a fundamental skill for infection
prevention and patient safety in all healthcare settings.
 C. Q&A and Discussion.