Don't Touch the Sterile Site With That NOT-Sterile (Non-Sterile) Glove!

Gloves: there are two types of gloves in the health care field: sterile and non-sterile.

Sterile gloves - protect the patient from germs.

Non-sterile gloves - protect the worker from germs.

Did you catch that huge difference in mission and purpose?

In the vein access of 'phlebotomy', we wear non-sterile gloves. And there are some things that you need to know about the non-sterile glove - to prevent infections during that venipuncture.

Let's compare: Sterile vs. Non-sterile

1. What does non mean? Not! So, really we have - sterile vs. Not-sterile

2. In terms of germs, what do we have? - no germs vs. Has germs

3. Let's assign terms clean and dirty based on germs. No germs = clean has germs = dirty

i know, I know . . . These applications of the words clean and dirty are not how the health care industry defines them. Medically speaking, these words "sterile", "clean", "dirty", and "non-sterile" have their own definition.

Sterile = guaranteed no germs. Clean = not sterile, but coming out of a box or package that is not dirty, therefore, not soiled, not used. Dirty = implies soiled, and/or used, and/or visibly dirty. Non-sterile = not sterile, has some germs(?), but clean.....Until used....Then soiled!

I can see how confusing all of this can be. So, let's clarify it, re-define it, and globally agree on one understanding of it, because not-sterile gloves are touching the needle insertion site every day.

That's how I want to begin this chapter because there is a huge misconception out there about non-sterile gloves. Some health care workers and nearly all patients think that non-sterile gloves are without germs and/or that the patient's are protected from germs because gloves are worn, and this couldn't be further from the truth - this is only true if the gloves worn are sterile gloves!

We are wearing non-sterile gloves, not sterile gloves.

The little scientist who invented the glove meant it for one purpose with regards to the phlebotomy. That purpose is to protect the phlebotomist from the patient's blood. That is its only mission! The non-sterile glove wasn't meant to protect the patient from us. That's the role of the sterile glove.

The reason this is so important to emphasize is because you see health care providers touch the vein access site, right before they stick it, with that not sterile glove. Did you get that? The not sterile glove touches the sterile site!

Right before the phlebotomist inserts the needle into the vein, he/she reaches up with their other gloved index finger to feel the vein 'one more time', right before they stick, touching the very site that they intend to insert the needle through and into the blood stream!!! Was that a clean glove? No! It was a not-sterile glove. It was a glove that had touched non-sterile tools (i.E. The tourniquet, the bed side table, the needle package, the patient, etc.) potentially picking up whatever germs were lurking about. How dangerous is that? How often do you see that happen?

And we wonder how infections occur!

Don't touch the sterile site (with that dirty not-sterile glove) right before you stick it. If you have problems remembering where the vein is at, "landmark" it.

Everyone thinks they are safe just because a glove is worn - we have created a false sense of security and safety in one of the highest risk environments.

Not-sterile gloves have a purpose, but a limited one - gloves are to protect the 'phlebotomist' from the patient's blood. That's it! No other purpose! Not-sterile gloves do not protect the patient - in fact, they can kill the patient.

Don't touch the sterile site with the not-sterile glove.

M. Gail Stotler, Vein Access Technologist, B.S.N., R.N.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M._Gail_Stotler

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