The most common type of PPE used by medical couriers are protective gloves.
- Latex gloves can be attributed to allergic reactions
- Nitrile gloves can be substituted and are made from a different type of rubber
Gloves protect the courier when there are open wounds, cuts, or abrasions on the hands.
Couriers need to wear gloves when handling specimens directly. This may not often occur, as couriers typically transport specimens that have already been bagged or packaged. Bagged specimens do not need to be handled using gloves, but it is highly recommended. Couriers should not wear gloves when picking up specimens from a client (physician) office as long as there is a secondary protective barrier. Gloves are not needed inside a vehicle unless a spill has occurred.
If gloves are needed...
- Check them as you take them out of the box for rips or tears.
- Always report defective gloves to your supervisor. This information can then be reported to the purchasing department for reimbursement or a possible product change.
- Wear gloves that fit like a second skin. Loose dangling glove fingertips may cause you to drop specimens and cause an accident.
- When gloves become contaminated with blood or body fluids – change them immediately – washing your hands between gloves. Remember, it only takes one drop or one virus!
- Never wash your protective gloves.
- If specimens are removed from the biohazard bag, i.e., to barcode scan individual specimens.
- If you touch contaminated surfaces (such as a computer or telephone) in the lab.
