Evaluation of personal protective equipment (PPE) gloves and personal protective medical device (PPMD) gloves protection features for hand protection of healthcare sector

The determination of the needs and knowledge level regarding the selection of the proper gloves and the correct use of gloves in healthcare workers plays a very important role in the prevention of possible occupational accidents, occupational diseases and work-related diseases in duties that require hand contact as well as preventing Healthcare-Related Infections (HAI). According to national and international legislation, gloves are products that are produced for different purposes as personal protective equipment and personal protective medical device, with different protective features and standards. In order for them to function in accordance with their intended use, it is essential that they are selected in the right protection class and used correctly. For this purpose, purchasing technical requirements / specifications designed with the right content are needed. It is important to design training contents on the use of gloves together with other hand hygiene practices or in combination. As determined by this research, the level of knowledge regarding the differences between gloves, which glove to use for which purpose, what to consider during the procurement process as a safe product, and the use of these gloves together with other hand hygiene products is not sufficient, and there is a need for training and the preparation of a purchasing guide. The content design of the training to be given in this field in the healthcare sector should be made specifically for the purpose of both preventing HAI and protecting employees against the possibility of work accidents and occupational diseases. The process should be carried out with a program and campaign that includes training, and a program should be created and followed by including the necessary effectiveness evaluation processes.