The durability of examination gloves used on intensive care units

Abstract

BackgroundThe use of examination gloves is part of the standard precautions to prevent medical staff from transmission of infectious agents between patients. Gloves also protect the staff from infectious agents originating from patients. Adequate protection, however, depends on intact gloves. The risk of perforation of examination gloves is thought to correlate with duration of wearing, yet, only very few prospective studies have been performed on this issue.MethodsA total number of 1500 consecutively used pairs of examination gloves of two different brands and materials (latex and nitrile) were collected over a period of two months on two ICU’s. Used gloves were examined for micro perforations using the “water-proof-test” according to EN 455–1. Cox-regression for both glove types was used to estimate optimal changing intervals.ResultsOnly 26% of gloves were worn longer than 15 min. The total perforation rate was 10.3% with significant differences and deterioration of integrity of gloves between brands (p<0.001). Apart from the brand, “change of wound dressing” (p = 0.049) and “washing patients” (p = 0.001) were also significantly associated with an increased risk of perforation.ConclusionMedical gloves show marked differences in their durability that cannot be predicted based on the technical data routinely provided by the manufacturer. Based on the increase of micro perforations over time and the wearing behavior, recommendations for maximum wearing time of gloves should be given. Changing of gloves after 15 min could be a good compromise between feasibility and safety. HCWs should be aware of the benefits and limitations of medical gloves. To improve personal hygiene hand disinfection should be further encouraged.

Einsatz wiederaufbereitbarer textiler Unterziehhandschuhe für medizinische Tätigkeiten: eine Machbarkeitsstudie

“…Eine bisher nicht systematisch untersuchte Möglichkeit zur Verringerung feuchtigkeitsbedingter Hautschäden ist das Tragen feuchtigkeitsadsorbierender textiler Unterziehhandschuhe. Zwar werden bei Tätigkeiten mit längeren Handschuhtragezeiten textile Unterziehhandschuhe empfohlen [10,11] Zwischen verschiedenen Tätigkeiten zeigten sich deutliche Unterschiede bei der Nutzung der Unterziehhandschuhe. Am häu-figsten wurde die Nutzung bei "Lagerung/Mobilisierung und allgemeinen Tätigkeiten am Patienten" (86,8%) sowie beim "Waschen des Patienten" (25,6 %) dokumentiert.…”

“…Als zeitaufwendig und Akzeptanz beeinträchtigend wurde dagegen der wenn auch selten notwendige Wechsel bei erkannter Perforation des Überhandschuhs empfunden. Nicht untersucht wurde die Frage, ob die Überhandschuhe bei Einsatz von Unterziehhandschuhen häufiger oder weniger häufig unerkannt perforieren[11]. Zur Kombination des Unterziehhandschuhs mit dem verwendeten Nitril-Handschuh wurde mehrfach angemerkt, dass die Einmalhandschuhe nicht gut sitzen und auf der Baumwolle verrutschen.Besonders im Handflächen-und Handrückenbereich ist die Kombination nicht passgenau, sondern durch überschüssiges Material werfen sich Falten auf.…”

Allergic reaction from dental bonding material through nitrile gloves: Clinical case study and glove permeability testing

“…A wide variety of literature exists detailing the porosity of gloves to various organisms as well as fluids. Good clinical practice calls for replacement of disposable nitrile gloves after every 40 minutes of continuous use …”

Eldiven Giyilmesi Çapraz Enfeksiyonun Kontrolü için Zorunludur

“…Double gloves should be worn (double gloving) and utmost care should be taken not to get punctured the gloves or microperforation of gloves 7 . Gloves should be frequently changed within 90 minutes and preferably 15 minutes to minimize non detection of microperforation [7][8] . Thicker gloves should be avoided when sensory discrimination is expected to cause problems in dexterity 9 .…”