Properly donning (putting on) and doffing (taking off) vinyl gloves is important to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do it correctly:
Donning Vinyl Gloves:
- Hand Hygiene: Before you start, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
- Select the Right Size: Ensure you have the correct glove size for your hands. Gloves that are too tight can tear or be uncomfortable.
- Inspect the Gloves: Examine the gloves for any visible tears, holes, or defects. If you find any, discard them and get a new pair.
- Hold the Glove: Hold one glove by the cuff (the rolled edge) with your dominant hand.
- Slide Your Hand In: Use your non-dominant hand to slide your fingers into the glove while keeping your dominant hand’s fingers and palm outside the glove.
- Stretch and Adjust: With your non-dominant hand inside the glove, use your dominant hand to gently pull the glove over your fingers and hand, ensuring it fits snugly but not too tight. Make sure there are no wrinkles or bunches in the glove.
- Secure the Cuff: Pull the cuff of the glove over your wrist, making sure it covers the wrist area and overlaps with the cuff of your gown or clothing if you’re wearing any.
- Repeat for the Other Hand: Repeat the process for the other hand, being careful not to touch your skin with the gloved hand.
Doffing Vinyl Gloves:
- Grip the Glove: To remove the first glove, use your non-dominant hand to grasp the outside of the glove near the cuff, being careful not to touch your skin.
- Peel Off: With your non-dominant hand, start peeling the glove away from your hand, turning it inside out as you go. Pull the glove down and off, rolling it into a ball.
- Hold the Removed Glove: Hold the removed glove in your gloved hand, keeping it inside the other glove. This helps prevent contamination.
- Insert Fingers: Use your bare fingers from your dominant hand to slide them inside the cuff of the remaining glove, being careful not to touch the outside of the glove.
- Peel Off the Second Glove: With your bare fingers inside the cuff of the remaining glove, peel it off your hand, turning it inside out as you go.
- Dispose of Gloves: Dispose of both gloves in a proper waste container. Do not touch your face, clothing, or any surfaces during this process.
- Hand Hygiene: After removing the gloves, perform hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer.
Properly donning and doffing gloves is crucial in healthcare settings, food handling, and other situations where hygiene is essential to reduce the risk of contamination and infection. Always follow any specific guidelines or procedures provided by your workplace or organization when using vinyl gloves.
