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fort are the 2 biggest barriers to staff compliance, followed closely by dexterity
issues. Others cite additional waste, expense, and extra time spent gloving and
re-gloving.
There are ways to combat some of these obstacles, says Ms. Ogg. She sug-
gests you address the biggest problems — comfort, dexterity and tactile sensi-
tivity — by conducting a glove fitting. Contact the manufacturer of the gloves
you stock and ask them to come in and size staff and surgeons for a comfort-
able fit. This can make a big difference, according to Ms. Ogg, who says some
studies have shown that there is no loss of dexterity and tactile sensitivity when
healthcare workers wear properly fitted gloves. "You might think that the rule is
to wear a half-size larger outer glove," says Ms. Ogg. "It might be that way for
some, but you might like a half-size larger glove on the inside or 2 same-sized
gloves. Get a proper fit, and give it some time to see what feels best."
Ms. Ogg also notes that wearing a perforation-indicator-glove system lets staff
"clearly see that a puncture has gone through" the outer layer, providing a convinc-
ing visual on why 2 gloves are better than 1. There are also other simple ways to
increase rates of double-gloving. One respondent advises adding it to the evaluation
of staff members, meaning their compliance could affect raises, while another sug-
gests having surgeons list their glove sizes on preference cards.
One of the best ways to get your staff and surgeons on board are personal sto-
ries. "Testimonials by individuals that have been stuck are the most effective,"
says one respondent. Ms. Ogg agrees. She suggests reaching out to your staff
members whom you know personally and who have a story, and see if they'd be
willing to share their experiences. If you don't have anyone available, AORN
offers an online webinar during which a former nurse discusses how a puncture
changed her entire life. "I think hearing a personal story makes it more real to
your staff," says Ms. Ogg.
Signs of improvement
Ms. Ogg says it's encouraging that double-gloving seems to be gaining momentum.
