Authors' objectives: What is the clinical effectiveness of non-use versus use of nonsterile gloves for individuals receiving inpatient care considered at low risk of infection transmission? What are the evidence-based guidelines regarding the use of nonsterile gloves for individuals receiving inpatient care considered at low risk of infection transmission?

Authors' results and conclusions: · In acute care settings with low-risk of infection transmission, discontinuing contact precautions (i.e., gloves and gown) may result in similar rates of hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and may lower the risk of hospital-acquired vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), compared to scenarios in which such precautions were employed.· Rates of late-onset infections in a neonatal intensive care unit were similar when standard infection control precautions were used compared with universal glove use.· Two guidelines recommend that nonsterile gloves should be worn for nonsterile procedures when it is anticipated that there will be contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, mucous membranes, lesions, or hazardous drugs and chemicals; for environmental cleaning; and when contact precautions for infection control are in effect.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.cadth.ca/non-sterile-glove-use

Year Published: 2023

URL for published report: https://www.cadth.ca/non-sterile-glove-use

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Rapid Review

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: <p>Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)</p>