Today is a global reminder that clean hands save lives – and that using gloves appropriately can improve hand hygiene, prevent infections and reduce waste.
The Commission’s theme for WHHD 2025 is ‘Gloves at the right time. Hand hygiene all the time. A sustainable path to better hand hygiene!’
Why glove use matters
Inappropriate use of gloves can increase the risk of cross contamination and contribute to unnecessary hospital waste. By focusing on correct glove use, we can ensure:
- hand hygiene is always a priority – and gloves are not used as a substitute for clean hands
- gloves are only used when necessary – to reduce hospital waste, prevent skin irritation and improve patient safety
- the right gloves are used at the right time – to protect both healthcare workers and patients.
Use our resources
The Commission's fact sheet on Sustainable glove use for healthcare workers explains the impact of inappropriate glove use, while our new 5 easy steps for glove use poster offers a practical checklist on glove use, for display in your healthcare setting.
Every health and aged care worker can contribute to safer hand hygiene and sustainability efforts by assessing whether gloves are needed, choosing the right gloves, using and disposing of gloves correctly and performing hand hygiene.
Get behind WHHD 2025 efforts in your health service!
Use the Commission’s resources on our WHHD webpage and our 2025 Campaign page.
More information
Visit safetyandquality.gov.au/WHHD or email hai@safetyandquality.gov.au