Glove use beyond standard precautions?

[Vicki_RN]

Hi, we are being asked to consider wearing gloves for all patient care activities on non-isolated patients, beyond just standard precautions.  Does anybody use gloves for routine patient activities (vital signs, etc.) where no body fluid contact is likely to occur?  We are looking for PICU practice, but input from any unit is appreciated.  Thank you!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I think it's a waste of time and money. It will lower handwashing, and who can get gloves on wet hands? 

What are the emotional implications of children hospitalized for weeks or months and never being touched normally? I know Covid masks gave us toddlers fearful of strange faces.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

In my opinion when they are worn for everything they become no better than an ungloved hand as it just becomes the "norm". Is that glove you are wearing for everything now any cleaner than your hand was without it for that activity?

 

[offlabel]

Are the gloves to protect the patient, the nurse, both? Are parents wearing gloves to touch/feed their child? How often is the child washing his or her hands (or being bathed)? Add to the list of solutions looking for a problem. Obsessive/compulsive by proxy....