Purpose: This study aimed to investigate intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' actual and perceived glove uses for preventing healthcare associated infection. Methods: We observed nurses' donning glove by occasions and adherence to guideline for glove use...
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' actual and perceived glove uses for preventing healthcare associated infection. Methods: We observed nurses' donning glove by occasions and adherence to guideline for glove uses in four ICU in a single hospital. Total of 378 cases were observed from August 16 through October 6, 2020. Sixty one nurses of 66 nurses observed responded to a self-reported questionnaire about perceived glove use and knowledge of glove use. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. Results: The number of observed episodes for glove use was 277. Although the highest numbers of occasions of wearing gloves was contact precaution, the compliance rate was 72.1%. The rates of donning gloves were low in the insertion and removal of peripheral venous catheters, blood glucose testing and blood sampling, which were at risk for exposure to blood. We observed misuse of wearing gloves even when they were not required. Results showed that the majority of non-compliance with glove use were a failure of performing hand hygiene before and after glove use and a failure of changing gloves between procedures on the same patient. The participant's knowledge of glove use was high. Conclusion: Based on the results, it is necessary to provide ICU nurses with education and reinforcement of proper glove uses for infection control.