Gloves
Introduction
Medical gloves are disposable gloves used during medical examinations and procedures to help prevent cross-contamination between caregivers and patients (an important component of personal protective equipment).
Examination and Surgical Gloves
There are 2 main types of medical gloves
- Examination - available as either sterile or non-sterile
- Surgical - have more precise sizing with a better precision and sensitivity and are made to a higher standard; generally sterile
Material
Gloves are made of different polymers, including
- Latex
- Nitrile rubber
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Neoprene
To facilitate donning of gloves, powders have been used as lubricants for latex gloves.
- A common agent is corn starch, however, it is found to have potential side effects, such as inflammatory reactions, granulomas and postoperative adhesions.
- By today, healthcare systems in Germany, United Kingdom and United States had eliminated powdered gloves use.
- Chlorination is the most common alternative method to create a less tacky glove surface (powder-free latex glove) while facilitating quicker donning.
Due to the increasing concern of latex allergy, gloves made of non-latex materials (e.g. nitrile, polyvinyl chloride, neoprene) have become more widely used, but they are generally more expensive.
Chemo Tested Gloves
Different glove types offer different protection from dermal exposure to hazardous drugs. Some gloves may permit rapid permeation of hazardous drugs.
- Hence, when comes to hazardous drug handling, care must be taken to ensure that gloves have been tested for the specific drugs being used.
- Actually, there are differences between US (ASTM D6978-05) and European (EN374) standard test methods against chemotherapy drugs. You may request the information from respective sales representative.
Importantly, although thicker gloves may offer better protection, glove thickness does not always indicate the level of protection.
- In addition, thicker gloves may decrease dexterity and make work activities more difficult.
Proper Glove Removal
When removing gloves, turn them inside out so that contaminated surfaces do not touch uncontaminated surfaces.
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