After removing gloves, which action is required to maintain hand hygiene?

After removing gloves, which action is required to maintain hand hygiene?

• A. Wash hands immediately following removal of gloves
• B. Do nothing
• C. Rinse with water only
• D. Use alcohol-based sanitizer only

Answer: (A)

Immediately washing hands after removing gloves is essential because microbes can transfer to the skin during glove removal. Gloves don’t guarantee sterility, and quick hand hygiene removes any contaminants that may have reached the hands. Soap and running water provide effective removal plus antimicrobial action, which is the standard immediate step. If hands are not visibly soiled and soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used as an alternative, but the required action after glove removal is to perform hand hygiene right away.

Immediately washing hands after removing gloves is essential because microbes can transfer to the skin during glove removal. Gloves don’t guarantee sterility, and quick hand hygiene removes any contaminants that may have reached the hands. Soap and running water provide effective removal plus antimicrobial action, which is the standard immediate step. If hands are not visibly soiled and soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used as an alternative, but the required action after glove removal is to perform hand hygiene right away.