I've been a Peds nurse in the home health setting for a year now and the handful of times I've actually worked with other nurses in this setting, I've noticed they routinely suction (not in an emergent situation) without donning gloves. Is this normal in the home care setting?? I am a total germaphobe (I know, great career choice, right?), so I know I am a bit more cautious and follow infection control guidelines religiously by nature but it just seems a bit counterproductive to introduce bacteria into our already compromised patients airways, right?
Anyone care to shed some light on this situation?