Gloves Necessary For SQ Injections?

[VivaLasViejas]

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!

[lsyorke, RN]

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.

Hmm, gloves don't protect you from needle sticks.

[Little Panda RN, ASN, RN]

I wear gloves for all injections. This is the way it is taught in nursing school. It is standard precaution in our health care facility.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Was taught in nursing school to use gloves for all injections, including SQ, which I do. Never have thought to do otherwise, actually.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Well, I would say the vote is overwhelmingly in favor of using gloves for ALL injections, SQ and otherwise. I stand corrected, and will change the policy & re-educate staff, as well as taking more care myself when I give injections.

Thank you all! I learn something new every day.......even if it's a not-so-new thing that I should've learned a long time ago.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

I didn't until I got stuck with a dirty needle and the infection control nurse was yipping in my ear about statistics and how much LESS likely you are to catch something during a dirty stick IF you had on gloves. I don't remember but the percentage was large, like 30 to 40 percent less. So now I do.

[Drysolong]

I will now wear gloves for all my SQ injections. I had not been doing so.

[onconurseRT]

Hmm, gloves don't protect you from needle sticks.

I think the poster was saying that basically these days, there is a really strict policy and procedure for needle sticks and there would be "questions" if you did not have gloves on. Hospitals (at least some) are not looking out for you, the nurse, remember that. I was taught to wear gloves for everything! I feel "naked" if I go to give an injection without it. I even wear gloves to change sheets. :uhoh21:

[emllpn2006]

I was taught to always wear gloves when doing anything with a patient. This includes any type of shot, bed changing, bathing, etc.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

I must admit i was taught to use gloves for any procedure, including any shots etc. but i have to say there are times when i dont. I know there are times when i pull a glove off while starting an iv simply because i cant feel anything sometimes through the glove and need the sensitivity of my fingers. Im sure id get smacked if i got caught by the wrong person, but.

So yes,, ill say i was taught to always use gloves.

[dragonflyRN]

Standard precautions when ever at risk for contact with blood or body fluids...was what I was taught in school. That would include SQ injections and changing a patient's sheets. I was also told that if you had gloves on and had a needle stick, there was a reduced risk of catching anything because of the extra barrier. Not sure how true that is though. I had one dirty stick in a trauma situation in the ER I worked in while I was a student. All was well...but I was glad I was educated enought to speak up.

[luvmy3kids]

What about immunizations?? I'm just a pre-nursing student... but my children's pediatricians office administered my baby's shots without wearing gloves. It really bothered me. I was told that the CNA would wear gloves for her protection only, but I still asked her to wear them..... I don't like the fact that my baby is bleeding and this person who I don't know from Adam is touching her and putting a band-aid on her without gloves on... not to mention all the other children she has come in contact with.... It just bothers me and I was curious if that is typical or if my clinic is just off a bit??? :uhoh21:

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I wear gloves, because i don't want the medicine or body fluids to get on me.