Don't wear gloves when doing vitals on post-partum mom

Published

Specializes in LTC.

Hello,

So I had my first clinical day for OB and my instructor told us not to wear gloves when doing vitals for the post-partum mom. I was totally in shock. I told her that I normally wear gloves every time I'm doing vitals or a Head to toe assessment just in case an unexpected situation came up. Or what if I had to help change a pad or something I wouldn't want to say " hold on for a minute or two let me grab some gloves" Anyway she said that they are not needed when doing VS. I find this very contradicting in that we as nurses and student must always use standard precaution, we must always treat everyone as if they are infected. Now, If I'm providing comforting measures or holding someones hand, I may not use gloves all the time, but they are still close by.

So my question is do you or do you not wear gloves when taking vitals. I'm just curious here...

Maybe I've been wrong for wearing gloves all this time ? :idea:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Gloves are not necessary when taking vitals on a post-partum patient. If you need to help a mom change a pad, of course you would say, "I'll just get some gloves and be right back."

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I don't wear gloves for taking vitals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.
Gloves are not necessary when taking vitals on a post-partum patient. If you need to help a mom change a pad, of course you would say, "I'll just get some gloves and be right back."

This.

There's no harm in saying, "let me grab a pair of gloves", especially when the gloves should be no more than a couple of feet away from you on the wall in the patient's room.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always wear gloves, regardless. You never know what you may come in contact with, and you're right, situations do come up where you need gloves while you're doing vitals. But it's really personal preference.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, ER, Resp/Med, LTC, Education.

I think that is really cold to wear gloves to do VS-- maybe if the patient has open wounds on the arm or something--or on precautions-- as a patient I would be offended. Sounds like a bit of a germ-a -phob. Lord maybe nursing is not for you! LOL lots of germs. and like the last poster said nothing wrong with stopping to grab gloves if something comes up that you would actually need them for. Do the VS and if you need to then--as you should--wash or use the waterless stuff after you leave the room. You don't want to make a patient feel like they are a leper! And in post partum?? These are the healthiest patients in the hospital pretty much! LOL

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's why I said it was personal preference. Whether or not I choose to wear gloves when doing VS shouldn't determine whether or not nursing is for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

I do not wear gloves with vitals on PP patients either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My school (which drives me up the wall) tells us not to wear gloves unless we're doing pericare or the patient is on contact

Why? Our skin is our best defense against microorganisms once its intact

My professor did have a good point, she said gloves gives a false sense of hygeine (she said it much better im butchering it) ..A lot of people who wear gloves dont wash their hands as frequently, and you could find them charting with gloves on..because theyre so used to wearing it you dont know if its clean or dirty or in between.

Vitals, is a little unecessary, unless youre doing a rectal temp. Wash your hands before and after you see the patient (I mean literally wash your hands, that antibacterial stuff is no match for c-diff) You'll be ok.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That's why I said it was personal preference. Whether or not I choose to wear gloves when doing VS shouldn't determine whether or not nursing is for me.

+1

Like OP I'd be pretty shocked to be told not to wear gloves. That's not a make or break issue. Plenty of food prep workers also think gloves are optional - but that's not the way I see it.

As a patient I absolutely would not be offended if my nurse wore gloves as a matter of fact that would make me more comfortable. How do I know where the nurse's hands have been??

My professor did have a good point, she said gloves gives a false sense of hygeine (she said it much better im butchering it) ..A lot of people who wear gloves dont wash their hands as frequently, and you could find them charting with gloves on..because theyre so used to wearing it you dont know if its clean or dirty or in between.

BTW - clean gloves are be the gold standard. If someone has been charting or servicing other patients or went to the rest room in them obviously that doesn't count.

As for the germaphobe issue - a l'il bit of germaphobia is a good thing in a hospital, not a bad thing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

The only time I have ever really worn gloves to do vitals is on trauma patients. Other than that not so much. I always ALWAYS have gloves in my pockets so gloves are within reach at all times in case something does come up. Every nurse should have gloves in their pockets at all times. Heck I even have some in my backpack when I go to school for those just in case situation ( read: trauma/accident were to occur )

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.

Sigh...

Wearing gloves to do vital signs? This goes beyond germophobia. It's offensive to the patient, unnecessary/wasteful and shows a lack of edcuation--> By that I mean, if the pt has intact skin and isn't on isolation precautions, then there is no earthly reason to wear the gloves (other than personal preference/already mentioned). It shows a lack of understanding of basic care.

If I saw a newbie wearing gloves with every.single.contact with the patient I would immediately assume that they did not know exactly what they were doing, as would other nurses and doctors. The pts would just be offended. Plus, you are taking away an intimate form of human contact-touch. The way a nurse takes a BP can be much different from someone struggling to do so in gloves. And your pt misses out on your human touch.

If I came across poop or blood (has happened many, many times) I would say, "hold on, let me put some gloves on".

Never had a pt get offended by that. Also, the gloves in my rooms are about 2 steps away from the bed.

I'm sure I'll get all kinds of responses about the lack of education thing, but honestly, if you think you need gloves for VS then seriously....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion