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Review
. 2025 Sep 25.
doi: 10.1111/jan.70197. Online ahead of print.

Time to Hang Up the Gloves: A Scoping Review of Evidence on Non-Sterile Glove Use During Intravenous Antimicrobial Preparation and Administration

Natasya Raja Azlan  1 , Debbie Massey  1   2 , Lesley Andrew  1 , Amanda Towell-Barnard  1   3 , Seng Giap Marcus Ang  1   3   4 , Carol Crevacore  1 , Martina Costello  1   3 , Aaron Alejandro  1 , Weiting Liu  1 , Naila Zaman  1 , Peta-Anne Zimmerman  2   5   6
Affiliations
Review

Time to Hang Up the Gloves: A Scoping Review of Evidence on Non-Sterile Glove Use During Intravenous Antimicrobial Preparation and Administration

Natasya Raja Azlan et al. J Adv Nurs. .

Abstract

Aims: To systematically summarise evidence related to the use of non-sterile gloves when preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials.

Design: Scoping review.

Methods: A rigorous scoping review was undertaken following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework and the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review guidelines (2018). Five databases and grey literature were included in the search. Literature published between 2009 and 2024 was included.

Data sources: Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science) and the grey literature were searched in February 2024.

Results: Three studies were included; however, none directly addressed correct non-sterile glove use during intravenous antimicrobial preparation or administration in clinical practice.

Conclusion: We found no evidence to support the use of non-sterile gloves in intravenous antimicrobial preparation. There is an urgent need for rigorous research to inform the development of clear guidelines on non-sterile glove use to underpin evidence-based decision-making in nursing and other health professional education, improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and promote environmental sustainability in healthcare.

Implications: Inappropriate use of non-sterile gloves for preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials hinders correct hand hygiene practices and increases healthcare-associated infections, healthcare costs and waste.

Impact: A critical gap in the existing evidence was a key finding of this review, highlighting the urgency for evidence-based guidelines to improve patient safety outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and promote environmental sustainability in healthcare.

Reporting method: This scoping review adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting checklist.

Patient of public contribution: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.

Trial and protocol registration: The protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QY4J2).

Keywords: evidence‐based practice; hand hygiene; infection prevention and control; intravenous antimicrobials; non‐sterile glove use; patient safety; sustainable healthcare.

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References

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    1. Baloh, J., K. A. Thom, E. Perencevich, et al. 2019. “Hand Hygiene Before Donning Nonsterile Gloves: Healthcare Workers' Beliefs and Practices.” American Journal of Infection Control 47, no. 5: 492–497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2018.11.015.

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