I have to wear a finger splint for 8 weeks due to a mallet finger injury. Can I continue to insert PICCs even though I am unable to wash my hands before donning sterile gloves? I say no, but the infection control nurse tells me I can if I double glove. Any comments?
Our employee health department said no to our PICC nurse, due to the inability to wash her hands completely with the splint. Since hand hygiene is of importance, I think you are right to question if double gloving is adequate.
Gwen Irwin
Austin, Texas
I am surprised that your infection control nurse would say yes. I would say not for hand hygiene reasons and also for manual dexterity reasons.
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, BC, CRNI
www.hadawayassociates.com
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RN, NPD-BC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
Website http://www.hadawayassociates.com
Office Phone 770-358-7861