During what circumstance should gloves be changed?

Gloves should be changed whenever they become wet or soiled to maintain effective infection control practices. When gloves are wet, the barrier they provide can be compromised, which increases the risk of contaminating surfaces, equipment, or the skin of both the healthcare provider and the patient. If gloves are soiled, they can harbor pathogens that could be transferred between patients or to other surfaces.

Changing gloves in these situations is crucial for preventing the spread of infections and ensuring a safe environment for both healthcare workers and patients. It's important to recognize that while gloves should be changed as described, they should also be changed after specific tasks and between patients to prevent cross-contamination, which is partially reflected in the choice of changing gloves after every patient interaction.