Freitas Jorge, Lomba Alexandre, Sousa Samuel, Gonçalves Viviana, Brois Paulo, Nunes Esmeralda, Veloso Isabel, Peres David, Alves Paulo
Oncology Medicine Service, Instituto Português de Oncologia do Porto (IPO-Porto), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
Nurs Rep. 2025 Jan 2;15(1):9. doi: 10.3390/nursrep15010009.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) present significant challenges in modern healthcare, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Examination gloves play a critical role in infection prevention by serving as a barrier to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between healthcare workers and patients. This manuscript aims to provide consensus-based guidelines for the optimal selection, use, and disposal of examination gloves in healthcare settings, addressing both infection prevention and environmental sustainability.
The guidelines were developed using a multi-stage Delphi process involving healthcare experts from various disciplines. Recommendations were structured to ensure compliance with international regulations and sustainability frameworks aligned with the One Health approach and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key recommendations emphasize selecting gloves based on clinical needs and compliance with EN 455 standards. Sterile gloves are recommended for surgical and invasive procedures, while non-sterile gloves are suitable for routine care involving contact with blood and other body fluids or contaminated surfaces. Proper practices include performing hand hygiene before and after glove use, avoiding glove reuse, and training healthcare providers on donning and removal techniques to minimize cross-contamination. Disposal protocols should follow local clinical waste management regulations, promoting sustainability through recyclable or biodegradable materials whenever feasible.
These consensus-based guidelines aim to enhance infection control, improve the safety of patients and healthcare workers, and minimize environmental impact. By adhering to these evidence-based practices, grounded in European regulations, healthcare settings can establish safe and sustainable glove management systems that serve as a model for global practices.
背景/目的：医疗保健相关感染（HAIs）和抗菌药物耐药性（AMR）给现代医疗保健带来了重大挑战，导致发病率、死亡率上升以及医疗成本增加。检查手套通过作为一种屏障来降低医护人员与患者之间交叉污染的风险，在感染预防中发挥着关键作用。本手稿旨在为医疗机构中检查手套的最佳选择、使用和处置提供基于共识的指南，同时兼顾感染预防和环境可持续性。
这些指南是通过一个多阶段的德尔菲过程制定的，该过程涉及来自各个学科的医疗保健专家。建议的制定确保符合国际法规以及与“同一健康”方法和可持续发展目标（SDGs）相一致的可持续性框架。
关键建议强调根据临床需求选择手套并符合EN 455标准。对于手术和侵入性操作，建议使用无菌手套，而非无菌手套适用于涉及接触血液和其他体液或污染表面的常规护理。正确的做法包括在戴手套前后进行手部卫生，避免重复使用手套，并对医护人员进行穿戴和摘除技术培训，以尽量减少交叉污染。处置规程应遵循当地临床废物管理法规，在可行的情况下通过可回收或可生物降解材料促进可持续性。
这些基于共识的指南旨在加强感染控制，提高患者和医护人员的安全性，并尽量减少对环境的影响。通过遵循这些基于欧洲法规的循证做法，医疗机构可以建立安全且可持续的手套管理系统，为全球实践树立典范。
