068 The ‘gloves are off’ – can we reduce inappropriate glove usage through an educational based intervention and risk assessment

Background Non-sterile examination gloves are required to protect healthcare workers against blood and bodily fluids. Audits completed at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) demonstrated that the overuse of non-sterile gloves was a key reason for lack of adherence with the 5 moments of hand hygiene. Gloves were also being worn for the preparation of all intravenous medications. Gloves being worn when not indicated is also a waste of resources and does not aid to a reduction of cross transmission. Methods A team within GOSH worked together to create an educational awareness programme for staff. This included an updated educational package as to when gloves should be worn in general practice as well as providing a risk assessment strategy for when to use gloves for preparing IV medication. Data has been collected for hand hygiene audits, infection rates, soap and hand sanitiser usage, glove usage, dermatitis levels in staff, qualitative data from patients and families surrounding glove usage and financial and environmental measurements at baseline and is on-going. Results Early results show a substantial reduction in glove usage since the introduction of the programme. We will continue to measure our data and present the findings of the key measures within the poster presentation. Conclusions Glove usage is often inappropriate and leads to hand hygiene not being performed which increases the risk of healthcare associated infection occurring. In addition, overuse of gloves for tasks such as routine preparation of IV medication means that healthcare staff are at an increased risk of occupational dermatitis. We believe that through evidence based education and supporting risk assessment, staff can be more informed about when they need to wear gloves.