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Glove Quality
The Role of Gloves in Infection Control
Infection requires a Virulent Source, an Infective Dose, a Method of
Transmission, and a Successful Host.
The four recognized routes of infection are; Contact, Common-Vehicle,
Airborne, and Vector Borne. Gloves are vital barriers to the first two
of these.
Contact
Direct contact transmission is combated by scrubs, hand disinfection,
gloves, and suitable barrier clothing like gowns and aprons. Thorough
washing after contact is also effective. Do not re-use gloves.
Double-glove where there is risk of permeation and sharps puncture.
Indirect contact transmission prevention includes cleaning,
disinfection, and sterilization of all surfaces, instruments and
materials which may carry the infection. Indirect contact also includes
aerosol transmission which is controlled by the proper use of surgical
masks.
Common vehicle
The most frequent common Vehicle routes are blood and other body
substances. Contact should be prevented by using gloves and protective
clothing like eyeware and masks. Other common-vehicle routes are water,
food, and drugs, all protected by good hygienic practice.
Universal precautions
The relevance of common-vehicle infection to hepatitis and HIV has
resulted in the global acceptance of Universal Blood and Body Substance
Precautions, the key principle of which is, "You can't judge a blood by
its cover".
Treat all body substances
from all people
as potentially
infectious
The risk of infection is directly related to exposure. Limit your
exposure by following the Universal Precautions.
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