Honestly: Do you wear gloves every time?

[BeachNurse]

Taking a little poll here. I am work in I.D. and one of our co-workers was recently hospitalized. She said not ONE of the people who drew blood from her, etc. wore gloves. The guy who drew a blood gas held his bare hand over the site where he drew from while it was still oozing blood. From the ER to the floor-NObody wore gloves. This is in a "highly respected hospital". We were apalled. Then again, we work with patients who have HIV and Hep B & C, but still! Any thoughts?

[Katie5]

Yes, yes and yes.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

I know this is an old thread, realized it half way in. But have to admit, I am appalled by the post about gloving to pass meds to an HIV patient.

I wear gloves for all blood and bodily fluid contact, I am a recent student though and it's all we were taught, so I have only learned IV and Blood draws with gloves on.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

I wear gloves for everything at all times....period. I even put on gloves before touching a clean sheet. Being in this job for a long time I know that things can get out of hand in the ICU quickly, and what you think is a quick sheet change soon turns into a nasty surprise and so as soon as I enter a room I put on gloves. Touching anything in a patient rooms creeps me out. I would never touch ANYTHING without gloves on. I probably go through an entire box a shift, but I've seen and know too many things. Handwashing is a given, and I do frequently, but there's no way I want any nasties on my hands. >shudder

[mikeala21]

I try to wear gloves whenever I start an IV or anything else related to body fluids (NG, Foley, changing someone). I generally do not wear them to assess my patient unless they are stinky/dirty person.