Step 1: Equipment

Equipment is minimal!

• 1 pair of sterile surgical gloves.
• 1 sterile gown with sleeves (necessary for the closed gloving method).

Step 2: Method

There are 3 methods - open gloving, closed gloving and plunge gloving. Plunge gloving is not recommended and is therefore not covered here. Closed gloving is the technique of choice since there is minimal risk of contamination

1. Ensure that you have a clean, flat, dry surface upon which to lay your glove pack.
2. Remove any jewellery and put on your gown.
3. Select a suitably sized pair of sterile surgical gloves.

Open gloving method:

1. Ask an assistant to open the glove pack.
2. Place the open glove pack so that the fingers are pointing upwards.
3. Pick up the right glove with the left hand, taking care only to handle the inner surface of the turned down cuff.
4. Pull the glove onto the right hand, hooking the thumb underneath the cuff as the hand is pushed inside; do not unfold the cuff.
5. Next pick up the left glove underneath the folded cuff with the gloved fingers of the right hand.
6. Pull the glove onto the left hand, hooking the rim over the thumb to enable the cuff of the gown to be adjusted.
7. Pull the cuff of the left glove over the cuff of the gown using the fingers of the right hand.
8. Pull the cuff of the right glove over the cuff of the gown using the fingers of the left hand.
9. Stand still with your hands clasped at chest height to avoid contamination.
10. The outer surface of the glove must not come into contact with the inner surface of the hand at any time.

Closed gloving method:

1. Ask an assistant to open the glove pack.
2. Place the open glove pack so that the fingers are pointing downwards. Remember that the right glove will now be on the left, and the left on the right.
3. Keep your hands inside the cuffs of the gown and pick up the right glove by the rim of the cuff of the glove with the right hand.
4. Turn the hand over so that the glove lies on the palm surface with the fingers still pointing towards your body.
5. Pick up the rim with the opposite hand.
6. Pull the rim over the fingers and over the dorsal surface of the wrist.
7. Push the hand forwards into the glove.
8. Now pick up the left glove and repeat the process.
9. Stand still with your hands clasped at chest height to avoid contamination.