I've noticed that mum's carers, although wearing gloves, don't wash/change them at all whilst doing mum's care. So, for example, last night carer washed mum's bottom and put barrier cream on, then carried on adjusting bed, putting cream on mum's legs and putting duvet over her. Is this common practice or should the carers be washing/changing gloves after bottom cleaning? Otherwise surely all they are doing is spreading grease/germs.
Glove hygiene
- Thread starter TessB
- Start date
I don’t think I would like someone washing my bottom and then continue to do other things to me or my bedding where I am going to sleep. Faecal matter can cause all sorts of gastro problems and the gloves are not just for the carers benefit but the welfare of the patient.
Disposable gloves come in large packs and are not expensive but our council provides them.
Sometimes they use their own gloves but mostly use the ones we have and which we pay for. I'd like to think they would have washed/changed the gloves if soiled but last night mum wanted me present whilst carers were here so I witnessed the carer doing everything with just the one pair of gloves.
Exactly. And as an elderly person with health issues, mum is the vulnerable one here, not the carers so they need to be mindful of hygiene generally. Sometimes the carers have to help mum with a bowel movement so they would be spreading faecal matter when they touch other things.
Ooh, where did you find those? I've been buying from Amazon and they cost £9.49 for a box of 200 Nitrex Nitrile disposable gloves. Don't know what the nitrex nitrile bit means or whether it matters.
I spoke to the senior care assistant who came on Monday and she said she always has two pairs of gloves with her so she can put a new pair on after washing mum's bottom. So it might just be an issue with a newly trained carer. Hopefully the senior will remind her and I will keep an eye on it.
Put "nitrex nitrile gloves" in as a search, but I got the from one of the local warehouse sized retail outlets (not allowed to advertise) so I won't name them but from what you've said wouldn't the really cheap polythene ones be OK most of the time?
Before now I've used sandwich bags as gloves in an emergency situation.
K
Before now I've used sandwich bags as gloves in an emergency situation.
K
Thank you. Yes, cheap ones probably would be ok, they're just for washing/applying cream. I'll have a look on the internet.
Put "nitrex nitrile gloves" in as a search, but I got the from one of the local warehouse sized retail outlets (not allowed to advertise) so I won't name them but from what you've said wouldn't the really cheap polythene ones be OK most of the time?
Before now I've used sandwich bags as gloves in an emergency situation.
K
Before now I've used sandwich bags as gloves in an emergency situation.
K
My understanding is that nitrile gloves are used mostly for corrosive and hazardous materials so not necessary for general care.
Some people can be allergic to latex. Even animals can. I have to wear nitrile gloves when handling bats as some are allergic to latex.
I buy mine from a company called Medirite and they are great. Just google Medirite gloves
I big disposable gloves gif my business. I go through lots so bulk buy. I get mine at £1.45 a box. Medisupplies. Mine are vinyl gloves.
