EFFICACY OF DOUBLE VERSUS SINGLE GLOVING IN PROTECTING THE OPERATING TEAM

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Abstract
Double‐glove perforation rates and perforation rales in standard single‐gloved operating teams were compared, in order to determine whether double gloving provides additional protection for the operating team. Patients were randomized to undergo surgery with a double‐gloved or single‐gloved operating team. All gloves worn during the operation were tested for perforations by water‐filling and individual digital distension; 115 single‐gloved operations and 103 double‐gloved operations were performed. There were 841 individual operating team members ‘at risk’. In the single‐glove group. 20.8% of individuals had perforations, but only 2.5% had perforations in both inner and outer gloves (dual perforation) in the double‐glove group (P < 0.0001). The surgeon was most at risk of glove perforation (34.7% of cases in the single‐glove group, 3.8% dual perforation in the double‐glove group). Longer operations were associated with increased risk of glove perforation. Double‐gloving significantly reduces the risk of skin contamination by blood and body fluids and is recommended for all high risk cases.