What should be done if gloves become damaged or soiled?

If gloves become damaged or soiled, the appropriate action is to change gloves. Gloves serve as a barrier to protect both the healthcare provider and the patient from contamination and infection. When gloves are compromised—whether through tears, punctures, or becoming visibly dirty—they can no longer effectively serve this protective function.

Changing gloves promptly ensures that the risk of transmitting pathogens is minimized. This practice is crucial in maintaining infection control standards within healthcare settings, as it promotes a safe environment for both staff and patients.

Washing gloves with sanitizer is not an effective method of ensuring safety, as any damage to the glove material could allow contaminants to pass through. Ignoring damage to gloves would also pose significant risks of infection. Finally, replacing damaged gloves with thicker gloves does not address the immediate issue and may even create a false sense of security, as thicker gloves can still become damaged.

Maintaining the integrity of protective equipment is essential for effective infection control, which is why changing gloves when they are damaged or soiled is the correct procedure.