The gloves are off in NICU/SCBU, Swansea Bay

Project completed as part of the Swansea Bay University Health Board Green Team competition (October - December 2022).

Team members:

• Naomi Oxberry, Dietician and Medical Student at University of Swansea
• Amber O’Cliffe, Medical Student at University of Swansea

Aim: 

To reduce unnecessary non-sterile glove use within the NICU departments at Glangwilli General Hospital (GGH), Carmarthen and Singleton Hospital to

• improve hand hygiene practices and reduce cross contamination stemming from the overuse of non-sterile gloves.
• Reduce the environmental impact (CO2e) of the NICU

Results: 

Social: improved staff knowledge about appropriate glove usage

Environmental: Via an audit, a 55.41% reduction in glove use was observed. Projected across a year, 1,555.6 kgCO3e could be saved. This is equivalent to driving 4,480.4 miles in an average car.

Financial: Projected across a year, with a 55.41% reduction we could save £6,480.

Green team competition: 

You can read more about the Swansea Bay University Health Board competition here.

Click here for more information on the Green Team Competition (including organisation impact reports).