Removing gloves and aprons from respiratory precautions PPE ensemble

University Hospitals Sussex Foundation Trust recently ratified an updated Standard/ Transmission based precautions policy. Key changes included tighter definitions of when gloves must be worn and the removal of gloves and aprons from the respiratory precautions PPE ensemble. 

The revised text is as follows:

Gloves must be: 

• worn (clinically) if direct contact with blood, vomit, faeces or urine is anticipated or likely. Also worn when handling chemotherapy drugs or performing intimate examinations.  
• worn (hazardous situations) if direct contact with chemical disinfectants or healthcare waste is anticipated or likely.  
• Handling domestic waste (black bag) in non-clinical areas does not require gloves. All waste in clinical areas: domestic (black bag), offensive (tiger stripe), infectious (orange bag) and waste for high temperature incineration (yellow bag) does require the wearing of gloves in case the waste bags contain inappropriate items. 

The IPC source isolation posters were also revised, and an example has been uploaded. The changes to the policy are due to go live from the 1st of October 2026. The posters will be displayed at an upcoming education conference on the 1st of October 2026. There will then be various communications

A gloves off, reduction campaign will also be launched in October 2026, and invitations have gone out to staff. The idea would be to meet every couple of weeks. A separate posting will be set up on this platform.

Initial 'soft' testing for removal of gloves and aprons from respiratory PPE has highlighted some concern from staff. Various communications are being developed to provide reassurance for staff.