A laboratory-based study to assess the performance of surgical gloves

AORN Journal, April, 2003 by Denis M. Korniewicz, Maher M. El-Masri, John M. Broyles, Christopher D. Martin, Kevin P. O'Connell

Editor's Note: This study was funded in port by a grant from Safeskin Corp, a subsidiary of Kimberly-Clark Corp, Roswell, Ga.

NOTES

(1.) M O Osman, S L Jensen, "Surgical gloves: Current problems," World Journal of Surgery 23 (July 1999) 630-637.

(2.) L W Hunt et al, "An epidemic of occupational allergy to latex involving health care workers," Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 37 (October 1995) 1204-1209; "Update: Universal precautions for prevention of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and other bloodborne pathogens in health-care settings," Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 37 (June 24, 1988) 377-382, 387-388; "Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens; Final rule," Federal Register 56 (Dec 6, 1991) 64004-64182; M F Goldsmith, "OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard aims to limit occupational transmission," JAMA 267 (June 3, 1992) 2853-2854.

(3.) A Rego, L Roley, "In-use barrier integrity of gloves: Latex and nitrile superior to vinyl," American Journal of Infection Control 27 (October 1999) 405-410.

(4.) D R Roy, "Latex glove allergy--Dilemma for health care workers. An overview," AAOHN Journal 48 (June 2000) 267-277; D H Garabrant et al, "Latex sensitization in health care workers and in the US general population" American Journal of Epidemiology 153 (March 15, 2001) 515-522; A J Shoup, "Guidelines for the management of latex allergies and safe use of latex in perioperative practice settings," AORN Journal 66 (October 1997) 726-731; D M Korniewicz, K J Kelly, "Barrier protection and latex allergy associated with surgical gloves," AORN Journal 61 (June 1995) 1037-1044.

(5.) G L Sussman et al, "Incidence of latex sensitization among latex glove users," Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 101 (February 1998) 171-178.

(6.) Ibid; C J Palenik, C H Miller, "Moving towards a latex-free environment: Advice from experiences in US dentistry," Dental Update 26 (December 1999) 427-430; M D Fisher et al, "Biomechanical performance of latex and non-latex double-glove systems," Journal of Biomedical Materials Research 48 no 6 (1999) 797-806.

(7.) "D5151-5192: Test method for detection of holes in medical gloves," in 1992 Annual Book of ASTM Standards (Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1992); "D-3577-5199: Standard specification for rubber surgical gloves," in 1991 Annual Book of ASTM Standards (Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1991); "D-5250-5299: Specification for polyvinyl chloride gloves for medical application," in 1992 Annual Book of ASTM Standards (Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1992).

(8.) "Medical devices; patient examination and surgeons' gloves; adulteration--FDA. Final rule," Federal Register 55 (Dec 12, 1990) 51254-51258.

(9.) S W Newsom, M O Smith, P Shaw, "A randomised trial of the durability of non-allergenic latex-free surgical gloves versus latex gloves" Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England 80 (July 1998) 288-292.