Glove Change Protocol

Clinical Objective

Define the moments at which surgical gloves must be changed during a procedure to maintain sterility, particularly before high-stakes events such as implant handling or following any contamination.

Why This Matters

Gloves accumulate microscopic contamination during a procedure even without visible breach. Strategic glove changes preserve sterility at the highest-risk moments.

Critical Control Points

• Outer glove change immediately before implant handling

• Glove change after any suspected contamination

• Glove change after extended manipulation or visible perforation

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. 1

   Don two pairs of gloves at initial gowning for procedures involving implants.

2. 2

   Change the outer glove immediately before handling any orthopedic implant.

3. 3

   Change gloves after touching any non-sterile surface — no exceptions.

4. 4

   Inspect gloves for visible perforations during the case; change if any defect is suspected.

5. 5

   Use the closed or assisted glove-change technique to maintain sterile gown integrity.

6. 6

   Announce glove changes to the team for awareness.

Key Pitfalls

• Skipping the pre-implant glove change to save time.

• Changing only one glove when both have been compromised.

• Using a contaminated technique (open gloving) mid-case without supervision.

• Failing to inspect for tears after a long instrument-handling phase.