What is the correct method for removing gloves to prevent contamination?

The correct method for removing gloves to prevent contamination involves turning the gloves inside out as they are being removed. This technique helps to contain any potentially infectious material within the gloves, preventing it from coming into contact with the skin or other surfaces.

When gloves are turned inside out, the contaminated surface is tucked away from the environment, significantly reducing the risk of spreading pathogens. This method ensures that the exterior, which may have been exposed to microorganisms, does not touch the hands or other surfaces during the removal process.

Other methods, such as cutting the gloves, can create a risk of puncturing the gloves and exposing hands to contamination. Rapidly pulling off gloves might also lead to splashing or transferring contaminants, and washing gloves before removal is not viable since gloves are single-use protective gear meant to be discarded after use, which does not allow time for proper cleaning or sanitization. Thus, turning the gloves inside out during removal is the safest and most effective technique to maintain infection control practices.