Bare hands, better care: Gloves aren't always the answer

those gloves. By taking off our gloves for tasks that don't require them, we can show our patients that we care about their well-being and that we're taking steps to prevent the spread of infection.

So, what are some specific tasks where gloves are not necessary? Let's take a look:

• Taking physical or non-physical observations

• Transferring infectious patients to another healthcare setting

• Completing documentation – including no gloves when using computer on wheels

• Moving a bed, wheelchair, stretcher, carry chair, or patient trolley

As healthcare workers, we all know that the appropriate use of gloves is an essential part of our infection control measures. But did you know that unnecessary glove use can actually increase the risk of spreading infection? The 'Take Your Gloves Off' campaign is aimed at reminding us of this fact and encouraging us to only use gloves when clinically necessary. We can make a real difference in preventing the spread of infection.

Let's start with a few key facts. Every year, millions of people around the world get infections while receiving healthcare? These infections can cause serious harm, and in some cases, they can even be fatal. In fact, healthcare-associated infections are one of the most common adverse events in healthcare delivery today. So, what can we do to reduce the risk of these infections? One important step is managing our hand hygiene – and not just relying on wearing gloves. Why is this the case? Think about it: when you wear gloves, you're creating a barrier between your hands and the environment. While this can be a good thing when handling hazardous materials, it can also be a bad thing if you're wearing gloves unnecessarily. That's because gloves can become contaminated with bacteria or viruses, and if you touch a surface with contaminated gloves, you can transfer those microbes to the surface. This is why it's important to only wear gloves when necessary and to remove them as soon as the task is complete. Another reason to take off your gloves is that it can promote compassionate care for patients. When we wear gloves all the time, it can be easy to forget that there's a real person underneath

• Touching items in the general patient environment, such as when transporting patients, touching door handles, or carrying their belongings

• Supporting personal care where there is no exposure to mucus membrane or bodily fluids, such as making a bed, stretcher, or trolley or providing blankets to the patient

• Holding a patient's hands or completing a pat down over clothing

• Searches and safe patient restraint

• Preparing and administering medications, where gloves are not necessary

Of course, there are still many tasks where gloves are necessary, and in those cases, we should continue to use gloves to protect ourselves and our patients. But by being mindful of our use of gloves and only wearing them when necessary, we can reduce the risk of spreading infection and promote better patient care.

So, what can you do to support the 'Take Your Gloves Off' campaign? Here are a few ideas:

Share information about the campaign with your colleagues and encourage them to participate

Be mindful of your use of gloves and only wear them when necessary

Educate patients and their families about the importance of infection control and why you might not be wearing gloves for certain tasks

Politely challenge colleagues and those around you when you see glove unnecessarily being worn.