What protection should be worn for a routine IV start?

For a routine IV start, the primary protective gear recommended is gloves only. This is because the procedure is typically considered clean and not a high-risk exposure to bodily fluids that would warrant additional personal protective equipment (PPE). Gloves are essential to protect both the healthcare provider and the patient from potential infections during the insertion of the IV.

The use of gloves alone is sufficient since the risk of exposure to blood or bodily fluids is minimized in a standard IV initiation process, assuming there are no factors that would change the sterility requirement.

While gowns, masks, and full PPE are used in more invasive procedures or in cases of known contamination or infectious diseases, they are not necessary for routine IV starts. Therefore, the choice of gloves only reflects adherence to standard precautions while maintaining an appropriate level of protection for this specific context.