Clean versus sterile gloves: which to use for postoperative dressing changes?

Abstract

Staff nurses have a key role in ensuring that practice is evidenced-based. This article discusses the application of a model for evidence-based practice change by staff nurses in an acute care setting who examined the practice of using sterile gloves for postoperative wound dressing changes. This initiative was in response to the challenge that it was unnecessary to use sterile instead of nonsterile gloves. Extensive literature search revealed insufficient evidence to justify a practice change to nonsterile gloves.