Handwashing vs HW + gloves

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Sorry if this has already been discussed, but this issue keeps coming up among our staff in our level III nicu.

I'm wondering what your unit's practices are regarding handwashing and contact with the babies. We are required to wash hands and wear gloves with each contact, and wear gowns when holding them. Have any of you seen an increase in infection rates when only good handwashing is used?

My theory is that we end up contaminating the outside of the gloves with whatever's on our hands while putting them on, and that freshly washed hands, along with skin to skin contact would be fine, if not beneficial.

Of course, when accessing lines, isolation pts, and possible contact w/ secretions gloves should be worn.

Any ideas??

Thanks! SS

[fergus51]

I've never heard of such a policy. I've only worked in level 3 hospitals and we have always just washed hands well with soap and water or alcohol based foam before touching babies and used gloves like you said for accessing lines, procedures, etc.

[KyElaine]

In our unit, we stopped "scrubbing in" around 7 years ago. At that same time, we stopped having family and visitors gown and glove. We wash with soap and water when we come in, then use alcohol based cleaner, like Purell, between all pt contact. We glove for all procedures and feeds. Luckily, we still have a very low infection rate. :)

[ILLINo1S]

We found that with an increased census we also had a higher infection rate and since our census wasn't going down, policy is now to glove for all contact including kids in cribs.

[BlueYYsRN]

Can anyone tell me how to apply pink tape while wearing gloves?

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

Can anyone tell me how to apply pink tape while wearing gloves?

Tell me about it!!! IMPOSSIBLE!