When Gloves Are Not Used
Medical gloves are not used for every task a nurse performs.
An example is the spread ofmethicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA), common in hospitals.
The same applies to hand-washing.
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Wearing gloves will only go so far in preventing disease transmission if the hands underneath are not clean.
For these tasks, gloves are generally not necessary.
Summary
Medical gloves are essential to the avoidance of infection in hospitals.
There are also situations where gloves are unnecessary, such as simply touching a patient or helping them walk.
When needed, medical gloves are worn to complete a specific task in a specific individual.
A Word From Verywell
The avoidance of infection in hospitals is a two-way street.
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