Sterile Gloving

Select the correct size and type of gloves:
- Ensure the gloves fit well to provide optimal protection and dexterity.

Inspect the glove package:
- Ensure that the package is intact (no tears or damage).
- Check that it is dry and free from any water stains.

Positioning the Package:
- Place the package of gloves near the area where you will be working to keep it within reach.

Check the Condition of Hands:
- Examine your hands and fingernails for cuts or lesions which could compromise sterility.

Perform Hand Hygiene:
- Wash hands thoroughly before glove application to maintain cleanliness and reduce the risk of infection.

Awareness of Latex Allergies:
- Be cautious of your own and the patient's potential allergic reactions to latex.
- If you have a latex allergy, select a non-latex glove.
- Ensure that if your patient is allergic to latex, you use non-latex gloves for their safety.

Removing the Outer Wrapper:
- Carefully separate and peel apart the two sides of the wrapper to access the gloves.
Laying Out the Inner Package:
- Grasp the inner package and lay it on a clean, dry, flat surface at waist level.
Opening the Package:
- Open the package while keeping the gloves inside, ensuring sterility is maintained.

Identify Right and Left Gloves:
- Each glove has a cuff that is approximately two inches wide; ensure to select the correct glove for each hand.

Gloving the Dominant Hand:
- Glove your dominant hand first:
- Using the thumb and the first two fingers of your non-dominant hand, grasp the glove for your dominant hand while only touching the inside surface of the glove.
- Carefully pull the glove over your dominant hand, ensuring a cuff is left exposed.
- Verify that your thumb and fingers are positioned correctly in the glove.
Gloving the Non-Dominant Hand:
- With your gloved dominant hand, slip your fingers beneath the cuff of the second glove.
- Carefully pull this second glove over the fingers of your non-dominant hand.

Interlocking Hands:
- Interlock your gloved hands and hold them above the level of your waist.
- It is crucial to only touch the sterile sides of the gloves during this procedure.

Removing the Gloves:
- After completing the procedure, dispose of the gloves as follows:
- Grasp the outside of one cuff with the opposite gloved hand while avoiding contact with your wrist.
- Pull off this glove, turning it inside out and place it in the hand that remains gloved.
- With the fingers of your bare hand, reach inside the cuff of the remaining glove and peel this glove off inside out over the first glove you are holding.
Discarding Gloves:
- Discard both gloves into the trash receptacle.

Perform Hand Hygiene Again:
- After glove disposal, wash your hands thoroughly to ensure any contaminants are removed.