Insights on Double-Gloving with Dr. Hudson Garrett

In Infection Control Today^®’s (ICT^®’s) conversation with Hudson Garrett, PhD, MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, CPHRM, CIC, CHIPP-B, LTC-CIP, CPPS, CPHQ, CVAHP, FACHDM, FAPIC, FAAPM, FNAP, FACHE, FSHEA, FIDSA, an adjunct assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and a professor of emergency medical services and critical care at Phoenix Institute and College, the importance of double-gloving in infection control was emphasized. Garrett highlighted how this simple yet effective practice significantly enhances protection for healthcare workers, especially in high-risk environments such as emergency and critical care settings.

Double-gloving involves wearing 2 layers of gloves, which provides an additional barrier against potential exposure to infectious agents. Garrett pointed out that while single-glove use is standard, the added layer from double-gloving can reduce the risk of glove perforation and contamination during procedures. This is particularly crucial during invasive procedures where the likelihood of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials is higher.

"Everything that we can do to reduce that risk of our own floor as health care providers being introduced into that surgical field is going to be huge, and that starts with surgical hand hygiene,” Garrett said. “It includes our personal protective equipment (PPE) protection and things like gloves. But it also, again, goes an extra layer of protection to make sure that my health care workers are safe too.”

Garrett stressed that double-gloving not only protects health care workers but also contributes to patient safety by minimizing the risk of cross-contamination. He advocated for the routine adoption of double-gloving in health care settings where the risk of infection is significant. The practice is especially important in the context of emerging infectious diseases and pandemics, where the safety of health care providers is paramount to maintaining a functional and responsive health care system.

“Keep in mind that the use of gloves, gowns, and other PPE is at the very bottom of our pyramid in terms of infection control interventions, but it is an important part of our sort of tool belt,” Garrett said. “My job is to always make sure, whether I'm working with a perioperative nurse or clinician, a surgeon or another [infection preventionist], that our tool belt is as wide and deep as possible.”

The conversation concluded with a call for more education and training on the benefits of double-gloving, ensuring that health care professionals are fully aware of its importance in infection control and patient safety.