Gloves are used in medical settings such as hospitals, surgery centers, and surgical centers to protect surgical hands from infection and foreign materials. Sterile gloves are generally made of vinyl-based, latex, or nitrile materials. Vinyl-based disposable medical gloves are suitable for application in a wide range of medical applications.
These gloves provide high resistance to chemicals and biological hazards because they contain no artificial dyes, perfumes, oils, or solvents. Today, many disposable gloves also feature ergonomic features, such as pressure control buttons, to provide a level of comfort. Hygienic applications of sterile gloves include dental procedures, blood transfusion, and immunizations.
Application of Sterile Gloves
Sterile gloves are used during surgical procedures and are also essential during other applications where direct contact with patients may be hazardous. Sterile gloves are also used when applying medication and other materials to the skin, including anti-fungal ointments, insecticides, wound dressings, antiseptic preparations, personal protective equipment (PPE), bandages, nail clippers, and other equipment used on the skin.
Sterilized gloves are available for various purposes, such as blood and platelet collection; blood and plasma collection; and handling or storage of contaminated fluids, such as urine, blood, or other products. Antiseptic gloves provide greater protection against disease and are more appropriate for applications than other forms of personal protection equipment, such as disposable plastic gloves.
Latex Gloves
Latex gloves have been used for decades and provide excellent barrier protection against blood and body fluids. However, recent studies suggest that the risks associated with latex gloves increase when used for tattooing or autologous blood preservation. Researchers suggest that tattooing may result in the transfer of infectious bacteria and protozoa through gloves that contain latex. Similarly, autologous blood preservation may contaminate stored fluids from the patient’s blood or plasma. For these reasons, researchers recommend using clean polymeric gloves instead of latex gloves for these types of applications.
Sterile long-term gloves, such as nitrile, can be used for all medical applications. However, prolonged exposure to these gloves may cause dermal irritation and increased vulnerability to infection. Nitrile gloves are also recommended to treat infants and toddlers because of their ease of use and protective qualities.
Sterile cotton gloves are generally preferred over latex gloves. In general, cotton is more absorbent than latex, which makes it a preferred choice for items such as surgical gloves and medical lab coats. Furthermore, cotton gloves are easier to launder, which may reduce contamination among staff in health care facilities. Non-woven gauze gloves are also available. These products are more absorbent than other forms of gloves but may not be used in applications where surface contamination is a concern.
