Asian female doctor in PPE medical suit and medical face mask in hospital with an injection vaccine and infusion drip for covid-19 or corona virus patient

Conscious use of gloves

Hand disinfection (HD), one of the most important measures for preventing healthcare-associated infections, usually refers to the disinfection of bare, ungloved hands [1]. However, the importance of disinfecting gloved hands (glove disinfection) has been increasingly discussed for several years. While the topic was initially viewed controversially, evidence-based pragmatism now prevails in Germany.

Disinfection of medical disposable gloves: What are the pros and cons?

Especially in emergency care—e.g., during resuscitation—situations arise in which medical professionals do not change gloves or disinfect their hands for a sufficient length of time. However, recent studies show that good hand hygiene, at least under ideal conditions, can be possible [2–4]. Nevertheless, frequent glove changes can disrupt workflows so severely that entire processes are prolonged. In such exceptional cases, glove disinfection may be acceptable, as noted by the German Kommission für Infektionsprävention in medizinischen Einrichtungen und in Einrichtungen und Unternehmen der Pflege und Eingliederungshilfe (KRINKO) in its recommendations on hand hygiene in healthcare facilities [5]. This assessment is shared by the German Clean Hands Campaign (ASH) in its position paper “Disinfectability of medical examination gloves” [6]. Nevertheless, users should be aware that when disinfecting gloves, the manufacturer’s liability is generally eliminated and replaced by personal liability with all associated consequences [7]. Therefore, hospitals should always conduct an internal risk assessment before recommending glove disinfection as a suitable measure in exceptional cases.

Compatibility of disposable gloves and hand disinfectants

HARTMANN offers both disposable medical gloves and hand disinfectants (HDs) in its product range. To support users in the required risk assessment, the company conducted tests on the compatibility between disposable gloves and HDs. For this purpose, the Peha-soft® nitrile fino examination gloves were conditioned up to five times with 3 ml of ethanol- and propanol-based HDs for 30 seconds using the self-responsible rubbing method. The gloves were then subjected to tests according to EN 455-2 and EN 16523-1, with tear strength and swelling properties meeting the standard. Permeation of the HD through the glove is not critical, as our HDs are approved for use on hands and demonstrate good skin compatibility. With proper use, no safety-relevant impairments are to be expected. Since potential risks such as material changes and permeation cannot be assessed universally and depend on both the specific glove type and the HD used [8], a general recommendation for glove disinfection cannot be made. In individual cases, disinfection of disposable medical gloves may be feasible, but it definitely does not replace proper hand hygiene or changing gloves when visibly contaminated [5].

Compatibility of disposable gloves and surface disinfection products

In practice, disposable gloves come into contact not only with HDs—as in the case of glove disinfection—but also with surface disinfectants when cleaning surfaces. Generally, the choice of gloves depends on the activity and the products used for surface disinfection. To meet its own high standards, HARTMANN is currently conducting extensive tests on the compatibility of various products.

Glove use and disinfection from a sustainability perspective

Disposable medical products contribute significantly to resource consumption and are among the most CO2-intensive products in the healthcare system [9]. Therefore, the use of disposable medical gloves should be considered not only from a medical but also from an ecological perspective. This analysis is an essential component of an ecologically responsible hygiene concept in hospitals and care facilities [10]. In practice, healthcare professionals do not always have detailed knowledge of the indications for glove use and sometimes use disposable medical gloves in situations where they are not required. Since a rational indication can reduce the environmental impact, the German KRINKO published a commentary on this topic at the end of 2024. The comment clearly lists both situations WITH an indication for glove use (e.g., contact with blood, mucous membranes, or excrements) and those WITHOUT an indication (e.g., vaccination or blood glucose measurement) [11].

Conclusion

While disinfection of disposable medical gloves is possible under certain conditions, it must always be assessed individually. To ensure the conscious use of disposable medical gloves, healthcare professionals should be trained according to the internal risk assessment. It is also important to select compatible products. Finally, sustainability aspects should be considered as well, without compromising the facility’s hygiene concept.

More information on basic hand hygiene

Download our poster on glove use

Sources:

  1. World Health Organization (2009) WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (accessed on August 11, 2025)
  2. Bushuven S et al. (2024) Hand hygiene in emergencies: Multiprofessional perceptions from a mixed methods based online survey in Germany. Int J Nurs Stud Adv 6: 100207.
  3. Bushuven S et al. (2023) Indications for hand and glove disinfection in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support: A manikin simulation study. Front Med (Lausanne) 9: 1025449.
  4. Bentele M et al. (2025) Feasibility of hand disinfection in paediatric advanced life support (PALS): A simulation study. Infect Prev Pract 7: 100418.
  5. KRINKO (2016) Händehygiene in Einrichtungen des Gesundheitswesens. Bundesgesundheitsbl 59: 1189-1220.
  6. Aktion Saubere Hände (2015) Positionspapier „Desinfizierbarkeit von medizinischen Untersuchungshandschuhen“ (accessed on August 11, 2025)
  7. EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR – 2017/745). http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/745/oj (accessed on August 26, 2025)
  8. Scheithauer S et al. (2016) Disinfection of gloves: feasible, but pay attention to the disinfectant/glove combination. J Hosp Infect 94: 268-272.
  9. S1 Leitlinie Nachhaltigkeit in der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin. AWMF-Registernummer 113–004. (accessed on August 11, 2025)
  10. Schuster M et al. (2024) Ecological Sustainability in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine. A Position Paper with Specific Recommendations – Update 2024. Anästh Intensivmed 65: 541–557. (accessed on August 11, 2025)
  11. Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) (2024) Commentary by the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) on the indication-based use of disposable medical gloves in the healthcare sector. GMS Hyg Infect Control 19: Doc55.

This might also interest you