Open Gloving Technique and Tips

Overview

This lecture covers the correct open gloving technique for putting on sterile gloves and addresses common mishaps and their solutions.

Open the outer plastic of the glove package and place it on a clean table.
Only touch the outer part of the paper as it is considered contaminated.
Unfold the top and bottom flaps and press corners to help the paper stay flat.
The inner part of the open paper and the gloves are sterile.
Grasp the folded cuff of the first glove (usually dominant hand) to slide your hand inside.
Keep your fingers in a cone shape while inserting into the glove.
Only touch the inside cuff area marked by numbers, which will be against your skin later.
After putting one glove on, use the gloved sterile hand to insert into the second glove under the folded flap.
Ensure fingers are properly aligned in glove holes before rolling down the cuffs.
Roll glove fingers fully down to avoid wrinkles, which impact dexterity.

If a glove is folded awkwardly, manipulate the paper from underneath (dirty side) to reposition it.
For sweaty or clammy hands, pause when your fingertips reach the finger holes and align fingers before pushing further.
If fingers are misaligned and can't be fixed, proceed with gloving the other hand, then adjust finger position using your now-gloved hand.
Always assume the very end of your glove cuffs is not sterile.
If your glove cuff gets caught, especially on a watch, do not fix it—removing the watch before gloving is recommended.
If glove fingers are not rolled down, take time to smooth out wrinkles before considering the process complete.

Open gloving technique — A method to apply sterile gloves without contaminating the outer surface.
Sterile field — An area that is free from microorganisms, maintained for medical procedures.
Contaminated — No longer sterile; must be avoided during the gloving process.
Cuff — The folded part of the glove that covers the wrist.