The design, effectiveness and acceptability of the arm sleeve for the prevention of body fluid contamination during obstetric procedures

Abstract

Objective 1. To design a device that would reduce contamination of staff during obstetric procedures. 2. To undertake clinical trials to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of such a device. Design A prospective study. The arm sleeve is made of a nonwoven material laminated on polyethylene film making it waterproof. It has an elastomeric cuff with adhesive that ensures a watertight seal between it and the glove. Setting Delivery suite in a teaching hospital. Methods Doctors and midwives were requested to wear the sleeve on top of the standard gown and gloves. Each user was assessed for blood contamination at the end of the procedure and a questionnaire detailing the extent of contamination and the views of the user was completed. Results Eighty questionnaires were completed. The contamination of arms and hands was 3.8% and 5%, respectively. Eighty‐nine percent thought the sleeve had served its purpose and 76% said they would use it regularly. Conclusions The sleeve is an effective protective device which complements the glove and gown. We recommend that it should be used during all obstetric procedures.

Facial and body blood contamination in major gynecologic surgeries

“…Needlesticks, sharps and splashes can transmit infection in surgeons 17–19 . Kabukoba and Pearce have developed an arm sleeve for the prevention of body fluid contamination during obstetric procedures that is useful in all high‐risk obstetric and gynecologic surgeries 20 …”