The 'Gloves Off, Clean Hands, Safe for All' quality project is being delivered across Southern to improve hand hygiene and reduce unnecessary non-sterile glove use.
Non-sterile gloves (NSGs) are often over-used in the healthcare sector, contributing to poor hand hygiene, and financial and environmental waste.
Published research on hand hygiene in healthcare indicates that NSGs are commonly worn when they are not required and that inappropriate glove use can be associated with lower compliance with the World Health Organization's 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene.
Wearing disposable gloves is a common behaviour in our hospitals, however there are occasions such as direct contact with intact skin and routine observations where clean hands can be used if staff aren’t going to come into contact with a bodily fluid. Research shows that when gloves are used only when needed hand hygiene improves, reducing risk of infections.
The project aims to reduce the overuse of gloves and decrease the amount of avoidable waste being sent to landfill.
"We are encouraging staff to ask one simple question - is it ooey, gooey, spewey or pooey? If the answer’s yes, gloves should be worn. If the answer is no, practicing hand hygiene before and after contact at the point of care is suitable," explained Kelly-Anne Knight, Southern’s Infection Prevention Clinical Nurse Consultant.
"Gloves aren’t needed in situations such as checking a temperature, pulse or blood pressure, or when pushing a wheelchair or trolley. It’s important that gloves are still used where there may be exposure to blood and other body fluids, including contact with mucous membranes and non-intact skin."
Wearing gloves does not replace the need for hand hygiene.
"Hand hygiene, such as handwashing or use of alcohol-based rubs should always be used before putting gloves on and taking them off," explained Kelly-Anne.
One NSG has an estimated carbon footprint of 0.034 kg CO2e. In comparison, using one application of Alcohol Based Hand Rub has an estimated footprint of 0.0009 kg CO2e.
Southern's hospitals and health facilities used over 2 million non-sterile gloves in 2023, generating 10 tonnes of landfill and a significant carbon footprint, as well as a financial cost of over $135,000.
The 'Gloves are Off' Project was first conducted in 2018 at the Great Ormond St Hospital (GOSH) in the United Kingdom. A staff education program was implemented, and the number gloves used was reduced by approximately 30% with associated cost and waste savings. There were demonstrated improvements in the ability of healthcare workers to make appropriate risk assessments with regards to glove use.
In a pilot of the 'Gloves Off, Clean Hands, Safe for All' at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital last year, the project was successful in improving staff capability in performing standard precautions risk assessments, improving patient care, saving money and reducing waste, while reducing the Local Health District’s carbon footprint.
Through small, mindful actions like reducing unnecessary glove use, Southern is taking significant steps toward a safer and more sustainable healthcare environment.