I was shadowing a nurse yesterday at a facility who happened to be a veteran nurse ( 60 years or older). Well, a pt. fell and was bleeding from her had. I witnessed the fall, so I called for help and made sure the pt. stayed put until helped arrived. The nurse I was shadowing came and started to apply pressure to the pts. head without gloves, the pts. blood was all over the nurses' hand. I felt bad that I didn't do that... but ultimately my health comes first and I'm not touching blood without gloves.
As we were doing wound care she still didn't wear gloves. She said back in her day she has touched so many things with her bear hands that sometimes she doesn't wear them.
I understand that is how she is used to practicing.
And what if someone who didn't wash their hands/use an alcohol rub after being in contact with an infected patient rooted around in the NON-STERILE glove box before the person wearing gloves gives you an injection? Now the glove itself is the carrier.
Your not thinking this through and relying on "what looks good" and gives you warm and fuzzies.
There is no denying that ripping the finger out of a glove to palpate woudn't be condoned by OSHA or the CDC (or your place of work). If you come in contact with blood/body fluids due to that ripped out finger, you went against the CDC and OSHA guidelines.
There is no denying that ripping the finger out of a glove to palpate woudn't be condoned by OSHA or the CDC (or your place of work). If you come in contact with blood/body fluids due to that ripped out finger, you went against the CDC and OSHA guidelines.
Handwashing/alcohol hand gels are the first line of defense.
I absolutely agree with this. The issue is the misguided idea that non-sterile gloves somehow prevent non-socomial infection. The way we prevent that is hand hygine, mainly handwashing.
Rationalize all you want. Stay out of my room. I do not understand what is SO HARD about putting gloves on and leaving them intact. Are you so determined to rip the finger off that you are willing to have a write up or at the very least a visit to your directors office? If you are that passionate about sticking without a fully gloved hand there are people just as passionate against you pulling the finger off. Everyone keeps saying the gloves are clean not sterile, well so are the gowns, gloves, masks we use when a patient is on reverse isolation due to weakened immune system, if it can help protect them then a clean glove can also HELP protect the patient. This topic is just like debates between polictical partys no one agrees and nothing ever changes.
Rationalize all you want. Stay out of my room. I do not understand what is SO HARD about putting gloves on and leaving them intact. Are you so determined to rip the finger off that you are willing to have a write up or at the very least a visit to your directors office? If you are that passionate about sticking without a fully gloved hand there are people just as passionate against you pulling the finger off. Everyone keeps saying the gloves are clean not sterile, well so are the gowns, gloves, masks we use when a patient is on reverse isolation due to weakened immune system, if it can help protect them then a clean glove can also HELP protect the patient. This topic is just like debates between polictical partys no one agrees and nothing ever changes.
Forget it, you would obviously rather live within your own preconceptions rather than do an honest assesment based on facts and information presented. That said, I sincerely hope you are more willing to explore beyond your preconceptions and prejudices when caring for patients.
I absolutely agree with this. The issue is the misguided idea that non-sterile gloves somehow prevent non-socomial infection. The way we prevent that is hand hygine, mainly handwashing.
Yes it is handwashing I 100% agree. Due to what I have seen while working is the biggest reason why someone doing shots, labs or starting an IV will have a fully intact glove. Besides no matter how we try to justify what we do if it is against policy and someone complains, or something goes wrong it is you who is in trouble and most likely wishing you had left the glove intact.
Rationalize all you want. Stay out of my room. I do not understand what is SO HARD about putting gloves on and leaving them intact. Are you so determined to rip the finger off that you are willing to have a write up or at the very least a visit to your directors office? If you are that passionate about sticking without a fully gloved hand there are people just as passionate against you pulling the finger off. Everyone keeps saying the gloves are clean not sterile, well so are the gowns, gloves, masks we use when a patient is on reverse isolation due to weakened immune system, if it can help protect them then a clean glove can also HELP protect the patient. This topic is just like debates between polictical partys no one agrees and nothing ever changes.
Reverse isolation has NOTHING to do with the topic being discussed here.
The topic is also NOT like the debates between "polictical partys" [sic]; the reason "no one agrees" (with you) and "nothing ever changes" is because YOU ARE WRONG. That's it. There are both evidence and science behind the arguments of those who "don't agree with you." You speak only from your feelings and fear....and while it's great to be passionate, you need to know when you are simply INCORRECT.
Oh so now because I do not rip the finger off a glove to start an IV I am not giving excellent patient care? Sorry you have no clue bout that. My patients love me and have stated that many times
Then why do the companies not make a glove with a finger missing? What does the CDC say about this? Even a phlebotomy class teaches to never rip a finger off. Reverse isolation is an example everyone says the gloves are not sterile so they can not offer protection well isolation stuff is not sterile but they offer protection. Bottom line what would your director say to you when they ask you why you ripped the finger off the glove before starting an IV do you really want to battle in the directors office?
I always carry gloves and wear them all the time... but I have come into contact with small amounts of blood in emergency situations. As long as the skin is intact and washed immediately after, the risk is essentially none.
That said, I'd only do it in an emergency situation and only if it was a little blood and only if I didn't have any gloves on me (which is very rare) and if I knew my hands were intact... but I'm talking a true emergency (both my times have been during codes), not a split scalp due to a fall... in my case it was changing over lines and some blood came back out through the angiocath.
Lots of the more seasoned staff (lab, docs, nurses...) work without gloves or - my peeve - rip the finger tip off of the glove. {It's a peeve only because it's so silly... either wear a glove or don't, but the finger thing is just... silly.}
Oh so now because I do not rip the finger off a glove to start an IV I am not giving excellent patient care? Sorry you have no clue bout that. My patients love me and have stated that many times
That was not even remotely inferred, by anyone. No need to be so dramatic.
Oh so now because I do not rip the finger off a glove to start an IV I am not giving excellent patient care? Sorry you have no clue bout that. My patients love me and have stated that many times
Again, you completely miss the point. It's your refusal to consider arguments that don't fit your preconceived ideas that worry me. That's one of the foundations of diagnostic assessment, finding reasons for what doesn't fit.
Your patients may love you. I've met some horrible providers that due to their bedside manner all their patients "loved them". While I've never met you and know nothing of your patient care, I can't take that as evidence your a superb provider. You may be an awesome nurse, but your letting fear and emotion rule the day here.
AJPV
366 Posts
Uggh! How do I unsubscribe from this thread??? It's getting really annoying.