Reevaluating Non-Sterile Glove Use in Healthcare: Environmental and Patient Outcomes

The widespread, often unnecessary use of non-sterile gloves in hospitals and clinics is contributing significantly to environmental pollution while offering limited benefits. Recent research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has emphasized the absence of clear evidence-based guidelines guiding glove use in healthcare settings, which may impact patient safety, healthcare costs, and ecological sustainability.

While gloves are essential when there’s a risk of contact with body fluids that could carry infectious agents or hazardous substances, their routine use during activities such as patient movement, feeding, or simple hygiene procedures lacks supporting evidence. Overuse not only raises environmental concerns but also compromises hand hygiene practices among healthcare staff, as reliance on gloves can lead to neglecting proper handwashing—the most effective method to prevent infection spread. This oversight potentially increases the transmission of harmful pathogens to vulnerable patients and healthcare workers.

Economically, excessive glove use imposes additional costs on healthcare systems. For example, a single hospital in New South Wales reduced its glove consumption, saving approximately $155,000 annually and decreasing medical waste by 8 metric tons. Moreover, the environmental impact is substantial; producing and disposing of gloves contribute to carbon emissions—accounting for around 7% of Australia’s total, comparable to emissions from road vehicles. Manufacturing consumes fossil fuels, water, and energy, while disposal via incineration releases pollutants. Landfilling can lead to leaching of microparticles and heavy metals into soil and water systems, posing risks to human health and ecosystems.

The research highlights a gap: there are no standardized, evidence-based protocols for the routine use of non-sterile gloves during common procedures like intravenous antimicrobial preparation. This lack of formal guidelines has prompted calls for comprehensive reviews of current practices. ECU is leading initiatives to audit and improve how future nurses and midwives are trained, emphasizing environmentally sustainable practices grounded in scientific evidence.

Ultimately, paradigm shifts in glove usage could improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and lessen environmental impact. Healthcare providers are encouraged to critically assess when glove use is truly necessary, prioritizing hand hygiene and reducing unnecessary waste.

Source: [https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-gloves.html]