Chapter 2: Table of Contents
Closed Gloving
Closed gloving is performed when applying gloves for the first time after donning a gown (i.e. when the wrist cuff of the gown is still sterile).
1) With the hands and fingers still covered (hidden) by the gown cuffs, unfold the glove pack such that the palm side of the glove will be facing upward.
2) Pick up the first glove by the cuff working through the sleeve of the gown making sure never to expose your fingers. Holding the gowned hand you choose to glove first palm side up, lay the palm side of the glove down (cuff to cuff and palm to palm) with the thumb and fingers of the glove pointing toward the elbow.
3) Still working through the sleeve and cuff of the gown, use the thumb and index finger of the hand being gloved to grasp one side (palm side) of the cuff of the glove. With the opposite hand (the hand on which the glove is not being applied) grasp the opposite side of the cuff (top) of the glove with the thumb and index finger. Lift the cuff of the glove and bring it over the gown cuff, to cover the fingers and part of the hand.
4) Thrust the hand through the cuff of the gown and into the glove while unfolding the glove cuff further overtop the gown sleeve.
5) Proceed to glove the other hand before making any adjustments to the glove to prevent inadvertent contamination by the ungloved hand. Use the same technique on the opposite hand.
6) Adjust the gloves such that they are comfortable and to cover the entire gown cuff. The wrist cuff of the gown collects moisture and is therefore not considered sterile after beginning surgery. Ensure that the glove fingers are tight at the tip of your fingers to improve tactile sensation in surgery and to prevent inadvertent puncture or incision of the glove fingertip.
