Nursing instructor not wearing gloves when starting IV

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I was a little disturbed when my nursing instructor started an IV without wearing gloves. I tried to help her pick up by donning gloves and started to pick up a gauze square that had blood on it, but she picked it up with her bare hands before I could pick it up. I found this even more disturbing. So my question is, is this acceptable?

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No, somebody had a brain cramp.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

The official answer? no, not acceptable. Universal precautions for every situation.

Reality? Not done very often, but on kids, or really difficult sticks, where I need to use my fingertips to find an elusive vein, I've done the stick barehanded rather than risk losing a hard stick. Generally ask if they have Hep or HIV first. This is a rare event, but sometimes necessary. If I'm cleaning up, a gauze with a spot of blood, not soppy, I will grab the edge or use all the wrapping from the equipment to pick it up with. Again, not routine or regular practice.

If for some reason I am not following the universals in front of a student, I tell them exactly what and why, and that I personally am accepting the risk; if the hospital can prove you didn't follow protocol, they can deny or reduce workman's comp for injury or exposure.

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In CNA clinicals a few years back, a nurse was cleaning the bottom of an AIDS patient without wearing gloves...

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Specializes in Critical Care.

As you go further in nursing school you will see this kind of thing all the time. The reality is that universal precautions are there for a reason. Many instructors were around before AIDS, hepatitis and other diseases were attributed to blood contact.

The Do as I say Not as I Do holds very true with instructors and nurses you are following.

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The official answer? no, not acceptable. Universal precautions for every situation.

Reality? Not done very often, but on kids, or really difficult sticks, where I need to use my fingertips to find an elusive vein, I've done the stick barehanded rather than risk losing a hard stick. Generally ask if they have Hep or HIV first. This is a rare event, but sometimes necessary. If I'm cleaning up, a gauze with a spot of blood, not soppy, I will grab the edge or use all the wrapping from the equipment to pick it up with. Again, not routine or regular practice.

If for some reason I am not following the universals in front of a student, I tell them exactly what and why, and that I personally am accepting the risk; if the hospital can prove you didn't follow protocol, they can deny or reduce workman's comp for injury or exposure.

My instuctor said nothing about why she wasn't wearing gloves. They were always preaching about "best practice" and this was definitely not best practice.

If you do need to find an elusive vein, wouldn't it make sense to find the vein with your bare hands and then put on your gloves? I could see doing that, but not wearing gloves at all from start to finish? I think that is crazy!!!

I'm paranoid when it comes to protecting myself when blood is involved, but I think that's a good thing.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

Strictly verbotten - as is tearing off the fingertip of a glove.

That said, plenty of folks still do it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.
The official answer? no, not acceptable. Universal precautions for every situation.

Reality? Not done very often, but on kids, or really difficult sticks, where I need to use my fingertips to find an elusive vein, I've done the stick barehanded rather than risk losing a hard stick. Generally ask if they have Hep or HIV first. This is a rare event, but sometimes necessary. If I'm cleaning up, a gauze with a spot of blood, not soppy, I will grab the edge or use all the wrapping from the equipment to pick it up with. Again, not routine or regular practice.

If for some reason I am not following the universals in front of a student, I tell them exactly what and why, and that I personally am accepting the risk; if the hospital can prove you didn't follow protocol, they can deny or reduce workman's comp for injury or exposure.

Question for you, that was sorta asked by the OP. Would it be just as effective to find the vein with a bare hand, then don gloves? Or, is the location lost once you remove your bare hand?

TIA.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Question for you, that was sorta asked by the OP. Would it be just as effective to find the vein with a bare hand, then don gloves? Or, is the location lost once you remove your bare hand?

TIA.

I used to have no problems finding the vein with my finger donning gloves and then do the deed. Sometimes you could use a skin blemish as a marker/reminder like a freckle

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

It's not illegal for her to not use gloves when starting an IV. However, it's not an intelligent thing for her to do (in fact, it's downright ********, IMO), and the fact that she does it doesn't mean you should follow suit, nor should she expect you to.

You're going to see a lot of things in clinicals that you shouldn't do. Let your instructor and those people take risks with their own safety; you should never be afraid to do whatever it takes to protect yours.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Yes, it is better to find the vein first, then glove up. As I said, it is a rare occasion; and only when I really don't think I'll get it with gloves on. (We also have crappy gloves, quality of supplies has taken a nose dive here.)

I use gloves 99.99% of the time, I do believe in best practice and protecting myself. I was trying to give you an honest answer, not a jump on the bandwagon immediate dump on the instructor.

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