What is the primary reason for washing or sanitizing hands immediately after glove removal?

Washing or sanitizing hands immediately after glove removal is fundamentally aimed at preventing the spread of infection. When gloves are worn during procedures, they can come into contact with various contaminants, including blood, saliva, and other potentially infectious materials. Even if gloves are intact, they can develop micro-tears during use or can become contaminated on the outside when the healthcare worker interacts with surfaces.

Thus, the primary reason for performing hand hygiene after glove removal is to eliminate any pathogens that may have been transferred to the hands during removal. Proper hand hygiene is crucial in breaking the chain of infection and ensuring that healthcare providers do not inadvertently transmit infectious agents to patients or surfaces. This practice is strongly supported by guidelines from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and widely recognized within infection control protocols in dental and medical settings.