Donning gloves before surgery is as automatic as blinking. But don't take this most basic barrier protection for granted. Gloves protect your hands from exposure to blood, mucous membranes and non-intact skin. They decrease the likelihood that staff will transmit their own endogenous body flora to patients, reducing the possibility of transmitting microorganisms from one patient to another. If you haven't reviewed your hand hygiene basics in a while, it's time for another look at why gloves matter.