Burns in the ED: dangers of water-filled gloves to aid cannulation

Filling examination gloves with warm water can help widen blood vessels for cannulation, but nurses should be aware of the risks of accidental burns to patients

Nurses need to be aware of the risk of harm to patients, whether adults or children, from using clinical examination gloves filled with hot water to help with cannulation.

In some healthcare settings it is common practice to fill clinical examination gloves with warm water to aid vasodilation – the widening of blood vessels – for cannulation. However, if the water temperature is too high, contact is for a prolonged period or if the glove bursts there is a risk of thermal injuries.

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