Alright so I'm an RN with a BSN and so is my friend Courtney. She hates how every time you open a pair of sterile gloves they are all bunched up and it is hard to tell the difference between the thumb and the pinkie. Every nurse has contaminated a glove trying to straighten it out after putting their hand in wrong (especially with wet hands). It is scary to think about, but how often do you think nurses who forgot to grab a backup pair just go right ahead and keep using the dirty glove?
Courtney thought it would be a lot easier if the gloves had a line running down the back of the thumb, all the way to the wrist, so it is clear just where the thumb is located. The less handling the gloves get the better, so we are thinking that the reference line will decrease infection rates, cut the cost of care, save time, and reduce wasted supplies. It is simple but significant. She's taking a research class to prove our concept and make sure everything is evidence based.
So that's the idea. We've named it the Jalbert Reference Line and we have a patent pending. At the end of November we sent proposals out to thirteen different glove manufacturers. We've had some interest from a few of them but none have committed to making our gloves yet. It'd be nice if they'd hurry things up and get the wheels turning. We would really like to get this product out there for the sake of our patients.
Anyone out there have any ideas on how else we can put this out there and generate interest? Anyone know anyone with some clout at a sterile glove company? Even if you just think this is a good idea and would like to see it in your facility those comments alone might convince these companies our product is worth adopting. We're confident that the research we'll be doing over the winter will get us some numbers by spring. Still though, spring is pretty far away and we'd like to get this out there and stop a few infections. Thanks everyone.
I'll back you, those sterile gloves in the kits are horrible. They are usually all bunched up and trying to get the top one results in the bottom coming with it and usually getting contaminated. I know it would make more sense to get an extra pair, but my facility only has them in the kits.
Haha wow, you guys are really slamming our idea here, but the constructive criticism is welcome nonetheless. Yes, the individually packaged gloves are usually laid out pretty well, but think about the ones in catheter kits and in picc change kits. This line couldn't hurt, but could definitely help. As I said, slight improvement, not groundbreaking, just better than the status quo.
I'm very good about drying my hands completely when putting on sterile gloves (not trying to be defensive here), but I've put regular gloves on with damp hands and they are next to impossible, it would be the same with sterile gloves.
Then try being detailed and specific, rather than making the general statement that "sterile gloves are all bunched up and almost impossible to get on right." If you mean the nitrile or vinyl gloves in prepackaged insertion and dressing change kits, SAY SO!
Meanwhile, I haven't had a lot of trouble with those either. Yes, they're smaller than I like and don't have any appreciable stretch, but I manage them and don't contaminate. Use you head and your training in sterile technique rather than whining that things aren't laid out all kindergarten-like for you. You were taught how to handle sterile gloves/drapes/wraps/packages with bare fingers without contaminating everything in sight. Now use what you know.
Other than the problem that I always have to take a larger size than the ones that the kit provided, I've never had a problem with donning sterile gloves.
I've also never had an issue distinguishing which glove is which or where the thumb goes as they are all laid out the same way in the packaging. Your point about the gloves that come with suction kits and other kits where they do not have the outer packaging though is valid.
I could see having a line on the gloves that come that way being a big help.
Yeah, while reading the first replies I thought of this very thing. Or more specifically, the ones that come in trach care kits. Those ones are the absolute worst I've encountered and I believe somewhere this thumb marking system would shine. Though just getting them so they're not horribly stuck together would be a big improvement.
Nurse Joey
60 Posts
I'll back you, those sterile gloves in the kits are horrible. They are usually all bunched up and trying to get the top one results in the bottom coming with it and usually getting contaminated. I know it would make more sense to get an extra pair, but my facility only has them in the kits.