page_title: 2002–2004 SARS outbreak among healthcare workers
section_title: Gloves
hierarchical_section_title: 2002–2004 SARS outbreak among healthcare workers / Causes of transmission / Equipment inadequacy / Gloves
caption_attribution_description: A model wearing infection control goggles
context_page_description: The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome in healthcare workers —most notably in Toronto hospitals—during the global outbreak of SARS in 2002–2003 contributed to dozens of identified cases, some of them fatal. Researchers have found several key reasons for this development, such as the high-risk performances of medical operations on patients with SARS, inadequate use of protective equipment, psychological effects on the workers in response to the stress of dealing with the outbreak, and lack of information and training on treating SARS. Lessons learned from this outbreak among healthcare workers have contributed to newly developed treatment and prevention efforts and new recommendations from groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
context_section_description: Medical gloves, like masks and gowns, also serve the purpose of preventing contamination of disease by blocking contact between the hands and the various bacteria, fluid, and fomites that carry the disease.  HCWs can again, like gowns, easily dispose of and change gloves in order to help improve and maintain good sanitary conditions.  Compared to all of the other pieces of equipment, gloves were worn the most often by HCWs who contracted the disease.
caption: A general type of eye-shield used by HCWs to prevent infection through the eyes.
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