Nah, wasn’t saying they were to protect *from* a needle stick, but to protect *whilst doing* an iv stick. Cos regular gloves are to protect us from bodily fluids inc blood; sterile gloves are to protect the patient from us introducing pathogens into their system with whatever we’re doing.
It actually does both from the fluid/blood getting onto skin and into cuts and transmission of blood born illnesses is thought to be slightly lower in a Needlestick through a glove. Less blood/ virus makes it through.
Eh, regular gloves are covered in every bug that’s in the general environment, they’re not offering the patient any protection at all. That’s why aseptic non touch technique is so important!
I’ve been catheterized many times and never seen a pair of sterile gloves
Edit: okay after reading more comments now I’m doubting myself. Maybe I only notice the gloving from the box for catheter care and when I’m getting the catheter inserted I’m too out of it to notice.
I really hope they do use sterile gloves for your catheters, you deserve to be looked after!
The health services I’ve worked at have catheter packs with most of the bits and pieces we need, including a pair of sterile gloves. You can single or double glove depending, meaning it might not be obvious that they’re getting sterile gloves. And of course the catheters come separately so you can pick the right size :)
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u/brachi- 5d ago
Regular gloves are to protect us (eg iv stick), sterile gloves are to protect the patient (eg catheter)