Reducing glove use in the Emergency department

Project completed as part of the 2025 Hampshire Hospitals Green Team Competition. 

Team members

• Karoline Chalk ED QIP Trust Grade 
• Melanie Koh Lin ED Physician Associate 
• Emma Christmas & Sarah Noble EM Consultants 

Setting / patient group:  Emergency department 

Issue:

The Basingstoke Emergency Department green team identified unclear guidelines and protocols were contributing to inappropriate PPE use, particularly single use plastic gloves use following the COVID 19 pandemic.  This results in an environmental and financial burden from waste disposal and transportations of PPE.  QCQ identified inadequacies in hand hygiene practices amongst ED staff, which had the potential to increase infection risks and reduce patient outcomes.

Aim:

• Reduce unnecessary single use plastic gloves in ED and reduce weekly glove ordering.
• Improve staff knowledge on appropriate glove use.

Intervention

The team studied current glove use through staff surveys and direct observation, revealing that 55% of gloves were used inappropriately for tasks such as patient observations, ECGs, and non-invasive examinations. Education was delivered via posters on glove dispensers, presentations during handovers, and social media engagement. Trust IPC guidelines were reinforced, and staff were encouraged to challenge inappropriate glove use during shifts. These changes were supported by ED consultants and nursing leads.

Outcomes

• Environmental:

Observational audit showed an 88% reduction in inappropriate glove use post-intervention.

Estimated annual carbon saving: 6,589.44 kgCO₂e, equivalent to driving 19,386 miles.

Weekly reduction of 52.8 kg of plastic waste.

• Economic:

Weekly savings: £365.60 in procurement and £23.34 in waste disposal, Projected annual saving: £20,224.

• Social:

Staff reported increased confidence in appropriate glove use and greater awareness of Trust guidance.

Promoted wider discussions on reducing other PPE items such as aprons and masks.

Key Learning

Success relied on strong engagement, clear communication, and visible leadership support. Challenges included time constraints, high staff turnover, and “poster fatigue,” which highlighted the need for varied communication strategies and integration of glove-use education into staff inductions. The experience reinforced that persistence and collaboration are essential for sustaining change and scaling improvements across other PPE streams.