References
How to apply and remove medical gloves
Microorganisms, pathogens and infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and prions, live in, on and all around us (Delves et al, 2017). Although these do not always present a threat, in some individuals, who may be susceptible or more likely to be exposed to larger numbers of organisms (patients and healthcare workers), they may enter the body and cause infection and disease (Ward, 2016). For this reason, within healthcare institutions, great care is taken in order to reduce the spread of these microorganisms. One way that this can be achieved is by limiting the means of transmission, the most common being touch (direct or indirect). Hands are therefore a primary source of the spread of infection and as such, hand hygiene is an essential preventive measure to reduce the risk of the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2017). However, although handwashing is effective, there are some instances when an additional layer of protection is required in order to safeguard the wearer and patient.
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