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.