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.
If the person drawing my blood doesn't wear gloves is a moot point: it's how well the nurse's hands are washed with soap and water that would be MY concern.
I worked as an aide before we used gloves regularly, heck they weren't even available much of the time and I'm still alive and disease free thanks to soap and water!
I vote for the mods to close this thread as I think it's hit a dead end.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
This is the very type of thing I was talking about. If I missed a post stating someone replaced gloves after ripping a finger out then my bad. What I was referring to was the ones that do not replace the glove with one intact. Ive seen too many tecs and nurses draw blood and start IVs without gloves or with fingers missing, and til Im dead I still stand firm you are not sticking me like that. I'm not angry just strong minded when it has to do with me.
The chances of you getting an infection of any type from a nurse following correct handwashing procedures using her fingers to palpate the intact skin of a patient for a vein are very, very small. In fact, that is what I was taught to do when I was trying to get used to finding veins with gloves on.
When you fly in an airplane do you insist on observing the pilot go through his pre-flight checklist? Do you watch your dentist autoclave his instruments? Do you watch the cook in a restaurant make your salad?
The chances of you getting an infection of any type from a nurse following correct handwashing procedures using her fingers to palpate the intact skin of a patient for a vein are very, very small. In fact, that is what I was taught to do when I was trying to get used to finding veins with gloves on.
When you fly in an airplane do you insist on observing the pilot go through his pre-flight checklist? Do you watch your dentist autoclave his instruments? Do you watch the cook in a restaurant make your salad?
I have come to the conclusion that we're only confirming our knowledge amongst ourselves. The message we've attempted to convey to the intended party has fallen upon deaf ears.
What do nurses do in emergency situations, where damage could be severe? Roadside accidents, etc... no gloves around... isn't it by law as nurses we render aid even without gloves? I'm not sure about that. Like, can we refuse to give CPR without mouth protection?
In the hospital setting, I would keep a pair of spare gloves in my pockets. Good idea there.
No, it varies from state to state, but most states that I am aware of do not require anyone to stop and render aid. And there is no law anywhere on the books that says a bystander has to put themselves at risk to render aid (such as by exposing yourself to someone's blood or performing mouth-to-mouth without a barrier).
ETA: I carry a CPR mask and pair of gloves in my car, but would not stop unless I was sure it was safe to do so. I can help no one if I am dead. My safety comes first.
Specializes in thoracic ICU, ortho/neuro, med/surg.
What do nurses do in emergency situations, where damage could be severe? Roadside accidents, etc... no gloves around... isn't it by law as nurses we render aid even without gloves? I'm not sure about that. Like, can we refuse to give CPR without mouth protection?
In the hospital setting, I would keep a pair of spare gloves in my pockets. Good idea there.
That depends. Some states here in the USA have good samaritan laws, that protect people from being sued after offering emergency aid, but not all. In some cases you could stop at an accident, save a life, and then have them turn around and sue you. This does happen.
Now, in my state yes, if you don't provide aid when it's known you could have, you can be legally punished and there are laws that protect us from being sued like that. That's why my husband and I, both nurses, keep a first aid box in the car with gloves, CPR mask, etc inside. But the law doesn't require you put yourself at risk. In any case, your chest compressions, not your breaths, are what will truly help that person -- so skip the breaths if you have no mask and just provide quality compressions... / soapbox
I have pulled my finger out of my gloves to draw blood before. Granted, I use chloraprep on the patient's skin AND on my skin before I touch them... and I replace with a new one before I stick, usually. But I won't lie and say I've never done it without replacing my glove. But I agree with the person who said the gloves help protect the patient from us as well, and so I really try my best not to touch people without them on these days.
Specializes in Long term care, Rehab/Addiction/Recovery.
Wow, geez. Forgive me for asking for clarification for something that (still, sorry) isn't rational?
One more time, for the cheap seats in the back: gloves are NOT to protect patients!
:uhoh3: Oh my, never seen so many panties in a twist! I am pretty comfortable with my Infection Control rationale, knowledge. As far as my prior posts Re Iv insertion perhaps I can clarify. This technique was not used, obviously in an Emergent situation. When IV resites were done routinely they were done under aseptic conditions. The ID director felt due to the compromised immunities of our Pt's, this was best. Many needed IV access for very long periods. This was way before PICC's were used commonly. After palpating a site with clean hands, I would then set up my field, drop everything I needed onto my field. Last thing would be is to apply tourniquet, then glove. So therefore everything touching the Pt for this internal procedure remains sterile. I am aware only the bevel of the needle touches the Pt. On a Pt with poor immunity, the outer cather should also remain sterile during insertion. (Even when the skin is properly prepped with Betadine and air dried). As far as cutting out the finger tips, that is not wise. The tips are most likely (cuticles) to have brakes in skin integrity, if all you are doing is wearing gloves to protect yourself. Thoroughly washing your hands is a far better choice than a pair of clean gloves from a box with ???germs inside and out.
:uhoh3: Oh my, never seen so many panties in a twist! I am pretty comfortable with my Infection Control rationale, knowledge. As far as my prior posts Re Iv insertion perhaps I can clarify. This technique was not used, obviously in an Emergent situation. When IV resites were done routinely they were done under aseptic conditions. The ID director felt due to the compromised immunities of our Pt's, this was best. Many needed IV access for very long periods. This was way before PICC's were used commonly. After palpating a site with clean hands, I would then set up my field, drop everything I needed onto my field. Last thing would be is to apply tourniquet, then glove. So therefore everything touching the Pt for this internal procedure remains sterile. I am aware only the bevel of the needle touches the Pt. On a Pt with poor immunity, the outer cather should also remain sterile during insertion. (Even when the skin is properly prepped with Betadine and air dried). As far as cutting out the finger tips, that is not wise. The tips are most likely (cuticles) to have brakes in skin integrity, if all you are doing is wearing gloves to protect yourself. Thoroughly washing your hands is a far better choice than a pair of clean gloves from a box with ???germs inside and out.
DookieMeisterRN
315 Posts
If the person drawing my blood doesn't wear gloves is a moot point: it's how well the nurse's hands are washed with soap and water that would be MY concern.
I worked as an aide before we used gloves regularly, heck they weren't even available much of the time and I'm still alive and disease free thanks to soap and water!
I vote for the mods to close this thread as I think it's hit a dead end.