Final answer:
Health-care workers should change gloves between every patient contact, after glove removal, and after contact with any bodily fluids. Gloves should also be replaced if compromised or at intervals during prolonged procedures to maintain aseptic conditions. Proper handwashing and surgical scrubbing are essential before and after glove use.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the clinical setting, especially following minor surgery, it is crucial to ensure the proper use of gloves to maintain sterility and prevent infection. The frequency of changing gloves can vary depending on the situation. Health-care workers should change gloves between every patient contact, immediately after the removal of gloves, and after any contact with bodily fluids or potentially infectious materials. Furthermore, when assisting with invasive procedures, a fresh pair of gloves must be donned following thorough handwashing and surgical scrubbing.
Moreover, if gloves become torn, punctured, or contaminated, they should be replaced as soon as it is safe to do so. In the event of assisting with prolonged surgery or patient care, it might be necessary to change gloves periodically to maintain aseptic conditions, as recommended by institutional protocols and guidelines provided by organizations such as the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
Consistent and proper glove use is a critical component of post-surgical care and is intended to protect both the healthcare professionals and patients from the risk of infection and cross-contamination. Therefore, in addition to following glove use protocols, handwashing before glove donning and after glove removal is essential, not forgetting the cleaning of fingernails and the use of appropriate surgical scrubs