PKU to glove or not to glove?..

ProteinQueen · #41 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 14:16

I started off not wearing gloves as my mentors don't but I started when blood ran down my thumb! Not the best so now always wear gloves and got my mentors wearing them too! Same with taking blood, although I didn't get blood running down my thumb!!

smwife · #42 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 15:00

warning!

A friend of mine on the course was out with her community mentor and they took a PKU, turns out the baby had HIV and they didn't know this until afterwards. Luckily no blood was spilt and my friend had no injuries on her hands.

It made me think that in the future it would probably be wise to wear gloves, just in case.

ProteinQueen · #43 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 15:07

I have to admit that was the first thing that went through my mind when the blood spilt on my hand, I had no cuts and the babies mum had tested -ve at booking but still isn't worth the risk.

Ani · #44 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 15:27

Thanks, I have been wondering about this. I think I will go by the book and wear gloves, even if my mentor doesn't. She also doesn't wear gloves when taking blood from the mums.

Can I ask - how rigorous are your mentors in community about handwashing between clients?

smwife · #45 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 15:32

Who me? Mine was very much so, and most of those after would carry the alcohol gel with them in their bags/cases.

Very important imo!

why?

Normal · #46 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 15:32

I'd probably wear them if I had a cut or something - but don't consider they offer much protection against anything else. With taking blood - they wouldn't offer me any protection from a needle stick injury - so probably wouldn't use them for that either unless otherwise indicated...

Re handwashing - only really if there is to be an examination of mum in the main...

Ani · #47 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 15:39

I only ask about the handwashing cos we were given so much bumpf to read on the importance of handwashing and infection control... and how we should wash our hands between touching each client. I would assume this goes for any skin contact (palpations)... but I haven't seen my mentor use the alcohol gel very often.

ProteinQueen · #48 (**permalink**) 23-Oct-2008, 18:27

My mentors always wash their hands after doing anything, in an ANC I wash mine after Urinalysis and before and after venepuncture and palpations. I only tend to use the alcohol gel if we're out on visits and the houses are a bit dirty cos it really dries my hands out.