Gloves Necessary For SQ Injections?

Midwest4me · Jul 21, 2006

There is no such thing as a dumb question.

For all injections I wear gloves; it's an infection control issue.

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Jul 21, 2006

This is going to sound like the dumbest question in the universe coming from an experienced nurse, but my ALF just had its annual corporate (not State) QA survey, and we got written up for not using gloves when giving insulin injections:uhoh3:
Now, I've been giving insulin for over a decade, but I was never taught to wear gloves for this---IMs, yes, and fingersticks, definitely, but SQ injections?? Naturally, I've never taught my staff to wear gloves for this purpose either..........so what say you all? Am I nuts for giving insulin without gloves, or is corporate all wet on this one? And how do I form a plan of correction when I think they're full of it? Inquiring minds want to know!

i don't think i've ever worn gloves for either sub q or ims in my 20 years.

maybe in isolation etc. but for all the tetnus shots i've given..... hmm... nope i frequently do not use gloves.

oh, and i've never had a needle stick either (from another thread.)

truern · Jul 21, 2006

Marla, it wasn't a requirement at our clinical sites, but it WAS for our school. We had to wear gloves for ANY injections, finger sticks, etc. I did notice most of the newer nurses wore gloves as well....maybe because they graduated from my school

Fiona59 · Jul 22, 2006

Always wear gloves and so do my co-workers. You never know what's in that drop of blood....

Otessa, BSN, RN · Jul 22, 2006

I wear gloves for any injections involving needles..............

it has been a policy at every hospital I've worked for.......

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 22, 2006

Pretty much anytime you deal with a patient nowdays.

SharonH, RN · Jul 22, 2006

Marla, I always wear gloves when I give any injections.

OR2ER, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2006

i don't wear gloves myself..but it was taught in school.There are certain drugs that you need to wear gown and gloves..methotrexate(not sure about the spelling...)

Gabie Baby · Jul 23, 2006

Wear gloves. Once in a while, SQ's do bleed, like maybe when someone is on Coumadin, or if you just happen to hit a little capillary.

Interesting that you wear them for capillary finger sticks but not for SQ's.

Don't try to correct your bosses unless you want trouble, unless you are really good friends.

Gabie Baby · Jul 23, 2006

i don't think i've ever worn gloves for either sub q or ims in my 20 years.
maybe in isolation etc. but for all the tetnus shots i've given..... hmm... nope i frequently do not use gloves.
oh, and i've never had a needle stick either (from another thread.)

So you've been a nurse since you were 19?

You are doubtless in violation of your employer's policies and procedures. If you do ever get stuck, you will find that they try to capitalize on the fact that you were in violation of the well-known policy and standard that every facility from Dehli to Denton follows nowadays, that of requiring gloves for injections. I hope your good luck continues.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jul 23, 2006

I was trained and still glove up for all injections no matter the type.

As far as SQ, man oh man I do so many of these a day and my only needle stick was from a SQ! Lucky it hit me first before pt and I withdrew so it was a clean one, but I think I let my guard down more for SQ because I do them so often (and heck...a numbers game too..more you do something may happen).

I just learned to glove up and do it automatically.