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Waste in the NHS: the ubiquitous rubber glove
I recently heard that the government is asking for suggestions about how to reduce waste and save money in the NHS. Whilst discussing this with members of Professional Concern, a common theme became apparent – the wasteful use of rubber gloves.
It appears that the indiscrimate use of rubber gloves results from a lack of understanding about cross-infection and the use of the aseptic non-touch technique.
During visits to hospitals, both as patients and visitors, members of Professional Concern have often observed many members of staff needlessly wearing rubber gloves. I myself saw a cleaner wearing two pairs of gloves. On another occasion, a nurse drew the curtains wearing a pair of rubber gloves and then proceeded to carry out a supposedly sterile dressing procedure without changing these gloves.
What use are the rubber gloves when bacteria are carried on gloves in the same way as they are carried on hands?
A common misconception
Perhaps the answer lies in a common misconception that wearing a pair of rubber gloves somehow offers protection against bacteria. Well, yes they do, but only to the wearer of the gloves and not to the patient, who should really be the person at the centre of any hygienic procedure.
We have seen this type of mistake time and time again, not only in hospitals, but also at GP practices, walk-in clinics and in patients' homes when community nurses visit to change dressings.
There appears to be ample evidence that many NHS staff don’t understand the principles behind the procedure and we are wasting valuable money on rubber gloves that are actually doing very little good.
Of course, there is room for the use of rubber gloves in the NHS, and anything that improves hygiene should be welcomed, but the wearer needs to understand why and how to use them.
There is a whole army of staff employed to carry out training on infection control, but unless they explain why these measures are done, we will not reduce infection rates. The indiscriminate use of rubber gloves seen today is not only wasting money, but worse still may even be lulling some healthcare professionals into a false sense of security and increasing the spread of bacteria.
To reduce the incidence
of cross-infection, which in the long-term has a significant financial
implication, we need to invest in comprehensive education and training
in aseptic non-touch technique.
Written by Dorothy Harling