The purpose of the thesis was to find out how the correct use of factory-clean protective gloves is in nursing. A survey was prepared for the thesis, which was answered by the nursing staff of the Päijät-Häme Central Hospital.

The thesis survey was conducted electronically on the Webropol- platform. The survey included open questions and the answers were collected anonymously.

Factory-clean protective gloves should be used when treating broken skin or dealing with mucous membranes. Protective gloves are also a requirement for various precautions, for example in isolation. They are a requirement, especially when dealing with secretions. Protective gloves are also used when working with medicines or disinfectants.

When dealing with healthy and intact skin, there is no need for protective gloves. Disinfecting your hands is enough for these treatments. Protective gloves do not need to be used when measuring blood pressure, temperature or pulse, subcutaneous and intramuscular injections, dressing the patient or transporting the patient.

The results showed that the majority of respondents wore protective gloves correctly. For example, when dealing with secretions or medicines. Protective gloves were also used in situations where they would not have been needed. For example, when touching a patient. There were shortcomings in the provision of information and training related to the use of factory-clean protective gloves.

A development proposal for the future would be to continue distributing information to all employees so that information about appropriate hand hygiene would remain in the employees' minds. Sharing up-to-date information and regular training also increases and reminds employees how to wear factory-clean protective gloves.