PKU to glove or not to glove?..

Sarahbs · #1 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:08

On postnatal visits around about 11 days old the baby has a PKU test done(phenalketoneuria)

I have so far seen all my mentors use no gloves for this procedure but johnson and taylor(2006)states that sterile gloves are used in this procedure, could this just be policy guidelines in my trust ?

smwife · #2 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:11

Guidelines are just that, but universal precautions mean we should be, but most often don't!

I have never seen anyone wear gloves for PKU in hospital or in the community, I am sure people do though.

One mentor suggested i should wear gloves for examining the baby post-delivery, it hadn't even occured to me to wear gloves

midwifemissy · #3 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:13

I have seen it done both ways, with and without gloves, so maybe it comes down to personal preference of the midwife?

tracyb · #4 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:15

I always wear gloves, no matter what, I get looked at funny, and will refuse if the comm' mw I'm working with has no spare gloves, they do not have to be sterile, as its not a sterile procedure it is as clean as possible really isn't it??
Just interested do the midwives wipe the 1st spot of blood away 1st??
We do the test on day 5 now, I thought that was nationwide too x

midwifemissy · #5 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:17

The community midwives I worked with wiped away the first blood spot yes.

In my trust the test is carried out on day 5 also.

smwife · #6 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:31

Should be day 5 too, that's deffo policy of two trusts I have 'worked' in.

Sarahbs · #7 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:38

could be five to be honest still very new and all my post natals sink into one at the moment. The first spot of blood was used ont he sheet though.

Sarahbs · #8 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:39

went back to my reflective journal just now yeah baby ws +5.

tracyb · #9 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:48

Hey your doing well with that aren't you??? They are naughty not to wipe the 1st spot off!!!

I know sorry!!!
Everything about midwifery practice and how others do stuff, just intrigues me though xxx

Sarahbs · #10 (**permalink**) 24-Apr-2008, 17:52

Heheh yeah its because im at a birthing centre I think, but I doubt it will be up to date when on a delivery suite at a busy hospital....

I have a mixture of mentors as well. Three. Two i get on with really well and the other is set on with me watching everything and im barely doing anything with her. I dunno maybe I will appreiciate it later on.