infection

General Cleaning Tasks in a Clinical Setting

The primary objective of performing cleaning tasks in a clinical environment is to ensure maximum asepsis for the patient while protecting healthcare workers from potential exposure to the patient’s body fluids. It is essential that healthcare workers maintain contact only with the inner surface of sterile gloves, avoiding any contact with the outer surfaces to maintain aseptic conditions. Any errors in following this protocol can lead to a loss of asepsis, necessitating a change of gloves.

How to Don Sterile Gloves

To properly don sterile gloves, follow these steps meticulously to ensure aseptic technique:

  1. Perform Hand Hygiene: Before any aseptic procedure, cleanse your hands thoroughly by either hand rubbing or hand washing.

  2. Check Package Integrity: Inspect the sterile packaging for any signs of damage.

  3. Open Sterile Packaging: Carefully peel back the first non-sterile layer without touching the second sterile wrapper it protects.

  4. Position Sterile Package: Place the second sterile package on a clean, dry surface, avoiding contact with the surface itself.

  5. Prepare the Glove: Open the sterile package by folding it appropriately to keep it open and accessible.

  6. Don the First Glove: Using your thumb and index finger, grasp the cuff edge of one glove and slide your opposite hand into it without letting the glove touch any surfaces.

  7. Don the Second Glove: With the first glove on, slide your fingers under the cuff of the second glove with the gloved hand, then don it without contacting any surfaces.

  8. Adjust Fit: After both gloves are on, if necessary, adjust the fit by manipulating the fingers and spaces between them to ensure comfort and mobility.

  9. Fold Cuff of First Glove: If needed, unfold the cuff of the first gloved hand by inserting fingers of the other hand into the fold, ensuring no contact with non-sterile surfaces.

  10. Maintain Sterile Technique: Once gloved, the hands must exclusively touch sterile devices or any area of the patient that has been adequately disinfected. sadam