Journal article
Time to Hang Up the Gloves: A Scoping Review of Evidence on Non-Sterile Glove Use During Intravenous Antimicrobial Preparation and Administration
Journal of advanced nursing, Vol.82(5), pp.4593-4609
05/2026
PMID: 40999763
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Aims: To systematically summarise evidence related to the use of non-sterile gloves when preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials.
Design: Scoping review.
Methods: A rigorous scoping review was undertaken following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework and the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for scoping review guidelines (2018). Five databases and grey literature were included in the search. Literature published between 2009 and 2024 was included.
Data Sources: Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science) and the grey literature were searched in February 2024.
Results: Three studies were included; however, none directly addressed correct non-sterile glove use during intravenous antimicrobial preparation or administration in clinical practice.
Conclusion: We found no evidence to support the use of non-sterile gloves in intravenous antimicrobial preparation. There is an urgent need for rigorous research to inform the development of clear guidelines on non-sterile glove use to underpin evidence-based decision-making in nursing and other health professional education, improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and promote environmental sustainability in healthcare.
Implications: Inappropriate use of non-sterile gloves for preparing and administering intravenous antimicrobials hinders correct hand hygiene practices and increases healthcare-associated infections, healthcare costs and waste.
Impact: A critical gap in the existing evidence was a key finding of this review, highlighting the urgency for evidence-based guidelines to improve patient safety outcomes, reduce healthcare costs and promote environmental sustainability in healthcare.
Reporting Method: This scoping review adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) reporting checklist.
Patient of Public Contribution: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
Trial and Protocol Registration: The protocol was registered on Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QY4J2).
Details
- Title
- Time to Hang Up the Gloves: A Scoping Review of Evidence on Non-Sterile Glove Use During Intravenous Antimicrobial Preparation and Administration
- Creators
- Natasya Raja Azlan - Edith Cowan UniversityDebbie Massey - Edith Cowan UniversityLesley Andrew - Edith Cowan UniversityAmanda Towell-Barnard - Edith Cowan UniversitySeng Giap Marcus Ang - Edith Cowan UniversityCarol Crevacore - Edith Cowan UniversityMartina Costello - Edith Cowan UniversityAaron Alejandro - Edith Cowan UniversityWeiting Liu - Edith Cowan UniversityNaila Zaman - Edith Cowan UniversityPeta-Anne Zimmerman - Griffith University (Australia, Gold Coast)
- Publication Details
- Journal of advanced nursing, Vol.82(5), pp.4593-4609
- Publisher
- Wiley; HOBOKEN
- Grant note
- Open access publishing facilitated by Edith Cowan University, as part of the Wiley - Edith Cowan University agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.
- Identifiers
- 991013317625102368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Nursing; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article