Nitrile Powder-Free Gloves are Important PPE

Nitrile gloves are an important PPE in the effort to flatten the Covid19 curve. Nitrile gloves protect the hands from contact with infectious agents or body fluid that may contain the infectious agents by providing a barrier to the skin. Nitrile, powder-free, gloves should be used during wound care, aerosol generating procedures, mucous membranes, and other instances where transmission of infection agents may occur.

The CDC recommends disposable medical gloves be worn in the correct size with mind to good fit and flexibility. Even though PPE shortages have encouraged conservation of gloves and other PPE, gloves should not be re-used. Except select, emergency, low supply situations, Nitrile powder-free gloves should be changed after each patient and removed and disposed of safely. Proper disposal of gloves is vital in flattening the curve as contaminated gloves provide additional means for transmission.

The CDC does not recommend disinfection of disposable gloves as standard practice. Washing gloves may not remove all contaminants and gloves, which are made to be disposable, may stretch, wear, or tear. Only in instances of extreme disposable medical glove shortages should this option be considered and in only accordance with CDC guidelines.