Factors Influencing Surgeons' Double-Gloving Practice.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate the practice of double gloving among surgeons and to determine the factors that affect compliance with such practice at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH).

METHODS: A survey was conducted among surgeons in active training from all departments at KAUH through the use of a questionnaire from May through July 2017.

RESULTS: Of the 220 surgeons who worked at KAUH, 183 agreed to participate in the study for a response rate of 83.2%. Less than half of the respondents (44.3%) stated that they wear double gloves. The main reason for wearing them was "self-protection" (63%), whereas the main reason for not wearing them was that they "think it is required only for special cases" (62.7%). The association between wearing double gloves and the subspecialty was significant (p = 0.033), the highest rate being found among orthopedic surgeons. Among those who usually double glove 84% of needle-prick injuries occurred when they were not double gloved. Eighty percent of needle-prick injuries occurred while surgeons were wearing single gloves.

CONCLUSIONS: Less than half of the respondents practice double gloving, the main reason being self-protection. The most common reason for not wearing them was that they are required only for special cases. There was notable association between wearing double gloves and orthopedic surgery. Most needle-prick injuries occurred while wearing single gloves. We believe increasing awareness of the benefits of double gloving might change the practice.