Virus-protection gloves are obviously in high demand in medical settings, and require both a high level of protection against pathogens and an ergonomic and practical design.
Needlestick or scalpel injuries put healthcare workers at risk of life-threatening infections such as hepatitis C and HIV. But a simple pair of gloves that automatically disinfects the wounds could boost the chances of avoiding infection.
Contrary to medical gloves that serve as a barrier between germs and the skin hands, the antiviral gloves can reduce the spread of infections. By using a disinfectant agent (Chlorhexidine and Chloroxylenol), the antiviral glove kills virused surfaces upon contact.
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Powdered gloves have cornstarch added which makes them easier to put on, especially in busy locations, and can prevent gloves from sticking together. When powdered gloves are worn for a long period of time the powder can cling to user’s skin and cause sensitivities or allergies. Cornstarch powder may also contribute to latex allergies or sensitivity.
It is important to note that powdered gloves are not generally an allergy concern with nitrile or vinyl gloves.
Powder-free gloves undergo a process known as chlorination that helps make latex gloves less form fitting so that powder is not needed for easy donning and removal. During the process, gloves are treated with a chlorine solution, rinsed with water, and dried to remove most of the powdered residue and latex proteins.
The downside of the process is that powder-free gloves can be harder to remove quickly and may decrease the firmness of the glove’s grip. Powder-free gloves are also more expensive than powdered gloves due to the extra effort involved in the chlorination process.
Sterile gloves are defined as sterile when they meet the FDA standards for sterilization techniques. Non-sterile gloves are not usually sterilized by the manufacturer of the gloves, but still must be tested by the FDA after sterilization to ensure that they meet the FDA’s standard assurance level (SAL) for sterilization techniques.
It is important to note that non-sterile gloves are typically used for non-surgical medical procedures and examinations. Sterile gloves are used to carry out surgical procedures.
One of the main differences between non-sterile and sterile gloves is the AQL or the acceptable quality level of pinholes. Surgical gloves have a lower AQL than non-sterile gloves, with sterile gloves AQL at 1.0 to 1.5 and non-sterile gloves AQL at 1.5 to 2.5. The number refers to the gloves in the sample that will have pinholes. So, for example, about 1.5 to 2.5% of the non-sterile sample gloves would have a pinhole. An AQL of 1 means that 1% of the gloves will have pinholes, and so on.
Damp donning is a common challenge faced by single-use glove wearers. Whether moisture results from sweat, the use of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) spray or sanitizing solution, or work conducted in liquid solutions, double donning in damp conditions can prove exasperating. For individuals who must double don multiple times a day, it can be a source of significant daily aggravation. To ease the double donning experience, start by looking for gloves from manufacturers with a proven history of improving the user experience through innovation. At Betterglove, we research, design and develop single-use gloves with special attention toward reducing end-user hassles such as damp donning. Our patented technologies, special coatings and innovative materials allow us to offer many gloves that are easy to don in high-moisture environments.
Some individuals may experience allergic reactions when wearing or after wearing latex or plastic gloves. It has been known that products, other than gloves, which contain natural rubber latex, such as: balloons, balls, toys that contain rubber material; rubber bands, hoses, boots and rubber parts of instruments; tires, erasers, mouse pads, helmets, condoms, etc. may cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.
These reactions range from dry, itchy, crusty skin with cracks or sores, to a runny nose, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling in the face, cramps and shock. Rare cases can even be potentially life-threatening.
As of this time, researchers are still unable to determine the exact level of latex protein, or the length of time an individual needs to be exposed to become allergic.
ASTM has set, and the FDA has proposed, a maximum of 200µg/g (µg/dm 2) for any glove. FDA has allowed a level of 50 µg/g (µg/dm 2) as a lower limit on claims using the Lowry test. The new ASTM ELISA test is hoped to be able to allow claims of 1/5th of that or less. While there are probably meaningful differences between 200, 50 and 10, users should be wary of attempting to make judgments on small differences in values in between these broad ranges.
Glove powder, which is used in the manufacturing process as a mold releasing agent and a donning lubricant, is also believed to be one possible cause of sensitization. However, it is important to understand that glove powder or cornstarch powder itself is not known to be an allergen.
It is during the manufacturing process whereby the glove powder can absorb some soluble protein. Via aerosolization, these powder particles become airborne. Inhalation or direct contact with these powder particles is alleged to bring about allergic reactions.
Therefore, it is important to use only gloves with low protein and low powder content or low protein and powder free gloves.
It is equally important to note that not all powder free gloves will have a low protein level. There are powder free gloves that contain a high level of latex protein. Therefore, the association of glove powder and soluble protein must be clarified, and only low protein powder free gloves should be used.
Chlorination is a process whereby chlorine, ammonia, water and other chemicals are utilized in the manufacturing of gloves. The chlorination process removes powder and breaks down the latex protein as well as the chemical residue on or near the glove surface. Then, through multiple washing and leaching processes, the protein and chemicals are further reduced.
A poor chlorination process (including over-chlorination) can result in gloves that are brittle and weak, tear easily, and have dark yellow or brown discoloring. Sometimes the gloves can be very sticky and make donning impossible or be very slippery without grip on the surface.
Poor chlorination also produces gloves that have a strong chlorine odor. For obvious reasons, chlorinated powder free latex examination gloves should not be recommended for dental use.
Medical-grade gloves are a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) for many professional environments. Though most often used in healthcare settings, disposable medical gloves are also necessary for caregivers, food handlers, dentists and other professionals. Wherever health and sanitation are top concerns, protective gloves are essential. They help stop the spread of germs and viruses, promoting the safety of both employees and those they serve.
If you need disposable gloves for your professional environment, choosing the best possible kind of glove is critical. You’ll need to understand the difference between various disposable glove types. Not all gloves are the same — different materials, strength levels and other features lend themselves to distinct purposes. Below, we’ll discuss the 10 most important considerations for stocking up on gloves.
Only some disposable gloves qualify as medical gloves. To fit the medical-grade description, disposable gloves must meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quality assurance guidelines. These guidelines ensure all gloves used in medical settings are durable and reliable, not flimsy or brittle. For patient examinations, gloves must have an acceptable quality level (AQL) no higher than 2.5. That rating means no more than 2.5% of the gloves in a batch can have defects. These gloves are non-sterile — sterile gloves must have an even lower AQL measure.
Manufacturers have to keep up with stringent testing measures to achieve a score of 2.5 or lower. Gloves with an AQL higher than 4 or 5 are only acceptable for mechanical or industrial purposes. Rigorous AQL standards require glove manufacturers to employ uncompromising quality control. The AQL scoring guide helps ensure gloves used for medical purposes are without defects. Tears or other lapses in quality could leave healthcare professionals and their patients vulnerable to pathogens or other contaminants.
Depending on your application, you’ll have to decide on an acceptable AQL rating. You may be able to find industry standards, but if not, opt for lower AQL numbers for the best quality disposable gloves. Keep in mind, doctors use gloves with AQL scores of 2.5 or lower during patient examinations. A similar score would likely suffice for your environment unless you need them for surgical purposes.
Disposable gloves with an acceptable AQL rating come in a variety of materials. One of the first things you should consider is your glove material preference. Different glove materials are useful for different purposes, so it’s a good idea to learn about the available options before making a bulk purchase.
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Nitrile gloves are one of the best alternatives to latex gloves, offering a longer average shelf life. Standard nitrile gloves are an ideal non-sterile option. A powder-free, latex-free nitrile glove is resistant to chemicals, oils and acids. Nitrile’s strength makes these gloves tough and helps them stay puncture-free, even when worn for extended periods. If latex allergies are an issue, nitrile gloves offer a flexible, touch-sensitive alternative. You can buy bulk orders of nitrile gloves in a variety of colors and sizes.
Latex is a comfortable, inexpensive glove option suitable for most medical environments. They’ve been a staple of many healthcare facilities since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic of the s. With that said, latex allergies are common. There’s a high likelihood someone in your organization or someone you serve will have a latex allergy. If you’re purchasing gloves for widespread use, you might consider a material less likely to cause allergic reactions, such as nitrile or vinyl. Latex also has a short shelf life compared to other materials.
Another option is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) glove. PVC is a common synthetic plastic polymer. Since they’re easy to mass-produce, these gloves are one of the least expensive options. They’re also less durable than other glove types, and they offer limited hazard protection. For that reason, PVC gloves are best suited for low-hazard applications. In some cases, a nitrile-vinyl blend glove may be the best choice for affordability and durability.
For most applications, one of the above-listed materials will suffice. Here are a few other material choices you might consider for latex-free medical gloves:
For a glove to have a “sterile” rating, it must meet strict FDA guidelines. Sterile medical gloves are acceptable for surgical purposes, so they must have the best possible AQL ratings. Sterile gloves must have an acceptable quality level of 1.5 or lower. As mentioned above, examination gloves can have an AQL as high as 2.5, so sterile gloves can be considered even safer. Because their manufacture requires strict testing, sterile gloves may have a higher price.
Though the term “non-sterile” may sound concerning, non-sterile gloves with an AQL of 2.5 or lower are acceptable for any non-surgical purposes. Using non-sterile gloves in non-surgical settings is safe and reduces the risk of disease transmission. Most healthcare workers use non-sterile gloves for patient examination purposes.
Non-sterile gloves work well for other applications, as well. If you’re looking for disposable gloves for routine cleaning, food service, caregiving or other purposes, non-sterile gloves should be fine. It’s vital to decide on an acceptable AQL rating for your purposes.
You may come across powdered and non-powdered glove options. Powdered gloves feature cornstarch coatings, which makes them easier to put on and prevents them from sticking together. Though this can improve convenience, the FDA has banned powdered gloves for surgery and patient examination purposes.
According to the FDA, the risks of powdered gloves in medical settings outweigh the benefits. The powder can cling to the wearer’s skin, causing irritation, inflammation or allergic reactions. It can also cause surgical complications involving peritoneal adhesions, which are a type of bond between a person’s organs. Though the ban does not yet extend to food service applications, loose cornstarch from powdered gloves may cause food contamination. In most instances, a non-powdered glove is a preferable choice.
You should also consider glove thickness. Thicker gloves provide a stronger protective barrier. They also better resist tears, allowing for a longer wear time. A heavy-duty, industrial-grade glove will offer more thickness than a lighter, thinner glove.
With that said, a thicker glove may dull touch sensitivity, which isn’t ideal in certain settings. If your application requires a high level of touch sensitivity, you might opt for thinner gloves made from a durable material, such as nitrile. When browsing glove options, look for thickness measurements in mils.
Certain situations call for a high level of tactile or touch sensitivity. For instance, a surgeon needs unimpaired touch sensitivity to perform surgery with the necessary precision and accuracy. Tactile-sensitive gloves made of a lightweight material will allow for precision levels similar to an ungloved hand. Sensitivity may also be necessary for a number of applications, including food preparation, electronic handling and pharmaceuticals.
You should also consider glove comfort and fit, including various size options. Depending on your application, your staff may need to wear gloves while performing complex tasks. They may also need to wear their gloves for extended periods. It’s vital to choose comfortable gloves — an uncomfortable glove may hinder someone’s ability to perform their necessary responsibilities.
Size options are an essential consideration. If a glove is too small, it may cause irritability or limit blood circulation to the wearer’s hand, making the fit distracting and uncomfortable. A too-small glove is more likely to tear, as well, compromising its protective barrier.
If a glove is too large, other concerns may arise. Loose space between the glove and the wearer’s skin may leave the wearer vulnerable to pathogens. A glove that’s too big is also likely to fall off, causing a significant contamination concern. When buying gloves, be sure to acquire several sizes, at least small, medium and large.
Tensile strength refers to a material’s resistance to breaking when stretched or pulled. Gloves with higher tensile strength ratings are more tear-resistant. Nitrile and latex are both materials with high tensile strength ratings — you can tug and pull on them quite a bit before they’ll start to tear. Since a tear would compromise a glove’s protection, tensile strength is essential. It’s an important measurement to acknowledge, especially for applications requiring hand dexterity.
Though you may not think twice about glove color, it can make a notable difference. You may choose to color code your gloves so staff can easily differentiate between various glove types. For instance, you might choose blue for latex gloves and black for non-latex gloves, so those with a latex allergy will have no trouble selecting the non-latex gloves. If you need both sterile and non-sterile gloves, color coding could again be useful.
Certain glove colors also make tears more apparent. If you wear a dark-colored glove on top of a light-colored glove, tears will be easy to identify. You can then change gloves as soon as possible after a tear, minimizing contamination risks.
You may wonder whether or not double-gloving offers more protection than wearing a single glove. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH), double-gloving is an effective way to protect the wearer from pathogens and other harmful substances. They found that while glove perforations were common, there were no instances of inner double-glove perforation. The NIH recommends double-gloving as a routine practice for operating rooms.
Standardizing double-gloving may help you promote your staff’s safety and wellbeing. Should you choose to do so, you may need to store greater quantities of gloves. It’s a good idea to order gloves in bulk amounts for this purpose.
The final factor you should consider is a glove’s shelf life. Buying disposable gloves in bulk will ensure you always have gloves available when needed — but it may also mean some gloves sit unused for extended periods. A glove’s shelf life depends most on its material. Nitrile gloves last longer than any other material. You should always check the manufacturer’s guidelines, but most nitrile gloves will last in their original packaging for several years.
In most cases, it’s easy to tell if a glove is compromised. A compromised glove may have surface cracks or feel brittle to the touch. Always wear gloves with normal tensile strength and durability, and keep careful track of how long your gloves have sat on the shelf.
Proper storage can help make gloves last longer. For short or long-term glove storage, you should keep gloves:
When deciding where to store your gloves, opt for a cool, dark environment. In most cases, a shelf in a secluded closet will do fine. Proper storage will help you extend your gloves’ shelf life, saving you time and money long-term and minimizing waste.
Choosing the right gloves for your application can make your environment safer, healthier and more productive. When shopping for new disposable gloves, consider several factors — the material, AQL, durability, comfort, dexterity, color and additional features. Each of these factors is significant. Once you’ve chosen the right gloves for you, be sure to purchase as many as you may need and follow best storage practices.
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