Gloves, feedings

[misslo]

Ok, in our CNA class, the instructor (an RN) told us that under no circumstance do you feed a resident while wearing gloves. In most cases I can understand, but, what if they are in isolation due to a highly contageous (sp?) disease? Even then, she said NO GLOVES WHILE FEEDING RESIDENT.

I'm trying to rationalize here. If you are wearing gown, cap, mask, shoe covers (don't know what they are actually called), it just doesn't make sense to me to not wear gloves! Any thoughts?

MissLo

[ktwlpn, LPN]

She is wrong-if you are feeding a resident in strict isolation then you should wear gloves.That's a no-brainer. You should follow up with this because you are likely to have to care for residents in isolation and you are being given the wrong info. Gloves are normally not needed when feeding. I know that in long term care the state wants to see that staff understands infection control-wearing gloves when not necessary is a big tip off to them that staff development is not doing their job.

[LoraLou]

Maybe she's thinking latex allergy if you're wearing latex gloves? Only thought that I could think of, regardless if a patient is an isolation patient gloves should be worn.

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

If it's wet and it's not yours, don't touch it.

If you are at risk of getting either the patient's saliva or food from their mouth on you, wear gloves.

Furthermore, I can't think of any isolation precautions that do not include gloves.

[fsaav]

...the state wants to see that staff understands infection control-wearing gloves when not necessary is a big tip off to them that staff development is not doing their job.

I'll be starting clinicals this fall so I don't know much about any of this yet, but are you saying that staff taking extra precautions would be considered wrong?

[AirforceRN, RN]

I would address this in clas again so the other students know that this is wrong...very wrong. If you have a patient with precautions you don't pick and choose which protection to wear...plus, if I had a nickle for every patient that has coughed, choked or vomited during or after a feeding I would be a rich man...its common sense to use precautions

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

According to the Centers for Disease Control, when a patient is on contact precautions, gloves and gown should be worn for all interactions that may involve contact with the patient or potentially contaminated areas in the patient's environment. Gown and gloves should be donned upon entry into the patient's room.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

I'll be starting clinicals this fall so I don't know much about any of this yet, but are you saying that staff taking extra precautions would be considered wrong?

In LTC-yes. "Extra" precautions are un-neccessary and demonstrate lack of understanding of infection control.For instance we recently had a scabies outbreak on 2 units at our LTC.Someone made an anonymous call to the state to complain because they felt nursing was not being pro-active.The state determined that we were doing everything possible for the residents but felt that lack of staff education was the problem.They observed cna's walking around the unit wearing the same pair of gloves for hours and doing tasks such as passing out trays-this clearly demonstrated that they did not understand how scabies is transmitted. Generally if you are feeding a resident in the general population you do not wear gloves in LTC-this is considered a dignity issue.You are going to sit beside them-you are in no more danger then you are when in your break room eating lunch-you'll use universal precautions.If they cough , sneeze or vomit you'll wash your hands well before you touch anything. If the resident is in isolation you wear the appropriate protective equipment....Also-if you are cleaning up a particularly gruesome mess you can certainly put on a disposable gown.That's common sense-just don't walk around the unit in one because you are afraid of some icky germs or bugs...

[Agnus]

If they are in isolation you wear gloves. LTC or not. Isolation is isolation and a pt is in it for a reason. If they are in isolation then they are not out with the general population so embarrassment is not an issue

[nici1978]

i agree with everyone here , it is common scents to use gloves while you are in an isolation room, you might want to bring that up in next class, because that statement is not true

nici

[misslo]

Thank you all for your response. I will surely address this next class. I agree also, but just couldn't understand why the instructor, being an RN would say not too.

MissLo

[theatredork]

I vote for wearing gloves regardless of isolation status. Gloves are part of standard precautions. Granted, you're only feeding a patient, but if I have to feed them, chances are I'll have to wipe their mouth with a napkin, which I wouldn't want to do without gloves.

I'd definitely like to hear her rationale for not wearing gloves at all while feeding a patient.