Unused Non-sterile Latex Disposable Gloves Contamination with Healthcare-associated Bacteria and Contamination Reduction by Reminder Signs

Abstract

Background: Non-sterile latex disposable gloves (NSLDGs) can prevent infections, but may also cause them if improperly used. Aim: To study NSLDGs bacterial contamination and the effect of hand hygiene reminder notices. Methods: A controlled interventional study was conducted through a quantitative bacterial sampling of NSLDGs (n = 160 gloves) obtained from boxes immediately after they were opened (baseline contamination) and 48 hours afterwards (per-intervention), and after hand hygiene reminder notices were placed (post-intervention). Bacteria were isolated and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and antibiotic sensitivity testing. Findings: Pre-intervention contamination was found to be 90% and 65% for skin commensals and pathogens, respectively. Post-intervention contamination by skin commensals and pathogens declined to 70% and 15%, respectively, representing a significant reduction in the prevalence of pathogens (p = 0.0006244). The average number of colony-forming units per glove pair was also reduced, from 57.05 to 4.95 (p = 1.5 × 10 -5 ) and from 16.1 to 0.65 (p = 0.003374), for skin commensals and pathogenic bacteria, respectively. Discussion: NSLDGs are potential pathogen transmission vehicles. Hand hygiene reminder notices placed on glove boxes can lead to reductions in bacterial contamination levels.