Applying Sterile Gloves

Key Points

• Sterile gloves are manufacturer-sterilized and packaged to remain pathogen-free until opened correctly.
• Only the inner cuff area may be touched during initial glove pickup to protect sterility.
• Hands must remain above waist and in visual field after donning to avoid sterile break.

Equipment

• Sterile glove package in correct size
• Clean and dry work surface
• Backup sterile glove pair in case sterility is broken
• Hand hygiene resources

Procedure Steps

1. Perform hand hygiene and confirm sterile-procedure indication.
2. Choose correct glove size (snug fit without excessive tightness).
3. Place package on a clean, dry surface.
4. Open glove package using outside flaps; maintain awareness that 1 in (2.5 cm) border is nonsterile.
5. With nondominant hand, pick up opposite glove by touching only inner cuff.
6. Insert dominant hand into first glove with fingers flat and thumb tucked.
7. Keep gloved hand above waist.
8. With gloved dominant hand, slide fingers under cuff of second glove and lift it from package.
9. Insert nondominant hand into second glove while preventing glove contact with bare skin.
10. Adjust finger fit as needed while maintaining hands above waist and within visual field.

Common Errors

• Touching outer glove surface with bare hand → sterility break.
• Lowering gloved hands below waist → gloves become nonsterile.
• Reaching outside visual field while gloved → unrecognized contamination risk.
• Continuing after sterility break without replacement gloves → unsafe procedure conditions.

Related

• preparing-and-maintaining-a-sterile-field - Sterile glove use depends on field-setup and sterility-preservation rules.
• asepsis-in-nursing-care - Foundational aseptic principles guide sterile and clean technique choices.