Effectiveness of glove barriers used in clinical settings.

Gloves are the most common barrier used to prevent the transmission of microorganisms between patients and nurses, and clinicians should be familiar with factors that affect glove choice, including the type of unit, exposure to bloodborne pathogens, tasks performed, and personal safety. In addition to selecting the proper gloves for clinical practice, nurses can play an important role in the evaluation, quality control, and development of new effective barriers for hand protection.