Use of Medical Gloves
INDICATIONS
The use of gloves is recommended in the following circumstances:
- Direct exposure: Contact with blood, body fluids, secretions and tissues, with non-intact skin or mucous membranes of a patient. In emergency situations, epidemics.
- Indirect exposure: When handling objects, materials or surfaces contaminated with blood or other fluids (emptying bedpans, handling waste and body fluids, cleaning instruments and equipment, etc.)
- When invasive procedures are performed that involve surgical penetration into tissues, cavities or organs (insertion and removal of intravenous catheters, aspiration of secretions, pelvic and vaginal examinations, blood extraction, etc.) or during the repair of trauma wounds.
Sterile gloves must always be used when performing invasive techniques or procedures (central vascular catheterization, bladder catheterization, wound care, etc.), and when handling sterile material, etc.
Gloves must be clean and not necessarily sterile whenever blood, body fluids, secretions or material contaminated with these fluids are handled.
The use of gloves is mandatory whenever the healthcare professional has wounds, cuts or skin lesions.
It is not necessary to use gloves if the contact is with the patient's intact skin.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE
Changing gloves
Gloves should be changed:
- When changing patients.
- When changing activities in the same patient.
- After coming into contact with chemical agents whose effect on the glove material is unknown.
- In case of contact with hydrocarbon or oleic based creams (incompatible with latex gloves).
- When there is contact with contaminated material due to splashing, breakage or puncture.
In the latter case, if there is direct contact with the infected material or a wound has occurred, the procedure dictated by the protocol should be followed based on the existing risk of infection.
Periodic changing of gloves is always recommended depending on their use and wear.
Prolonged use causes the glove's barrier effect to decrease. The hyperhydration produced combined with body fat causes the glove to wear out. Thus, depending on the type of glove, the following changes are recommended:
- Latex exam gloves every 15 to 30 minutes.
- Vinyl exam gloves every 15 minutes.
- Latex and neoprene surgical gloves every 1 to 3 hours.
- Nitrile gloves every 15 to 30 minutes.
General recommendations
The use of gloves is not a substitute for hand washing, therefore it is necessary to wash your hands before and after using gloves.
- The glove must be adapted to the nature of the work: Extra-thick gloves are recommended for surgical procedures with a high risk of cutting and friction and for the decontamination of equipment and instruments. Extra-thin gloves are indicated for activities that require great sensitivity, comfort and dexterity.
- It must be adapted to the worker's hand. The appropriate size and material must be chosen, taking into account the individual physiological characteristics and the subject's history of allergies.
- The glove must be long enough to cover the space between the glove and the worker's sleeve. Gloves with long cuffs must have the edges arranged over the sleeve so that substances being handled cannot drip into the glove.
- The glove should be discarded if any punctures or other imperfections are detected.
- When gloves become torn or ripped, you should remove them, then wash your hands and put on a new pair.
- Hygienic measures:
- Before putting on the glove, wash your hands and remove any jewelry that could break it. Keep your nails short and do not use artificial nails when working in high-risk units.
- Creams should not be applied before putting on the gloves, as they may alter their properties. These should be reserved for rest periods or at the end of the activity.
- After using gloves, hands should be washed again with a mild detergent and dried with a disposable towel or paper, never with hot air, to avoid the maceration effect.
- The use of gloves for prolonged periods of time should be avoided as this causes sweating and maceration of the skin, which can cause lesions, even on healthy skin. The Spanish Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of synthetic gloves or natural latex gloves that are powder-free and low in allergens.
- Chemical protection gloves should be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's instructions to avoid being impregnated by chemicals, since the use of this type of contaminated gloves entails greater danger than not using them, due to the accumulation of the contaminant.
- When performing invasive techniques that involve a high risk of infection due to puncture or cut, it is recommended to use double gloves, which reduces the risk of perforation by a third compared to a single glove. It is recommended that the glove in contact with the skin be one size larger than the second glove, as this allows for a greater sense of touch to be maintained.
- To preserve the integrity of the glove, it is recommended not to store them at high temperatures or in the presence of radiation, avoid the use of hydrocarbon or oleic-based creams (incompatible with latex) and not reuse them when they are indicated for single use.
TYPES OF GLOVES
By its composition:
Polymeric materials (rubber and plastic) of type:
- Natural (Natural rubber latex). They are the first choice due to their properties that guarantee effectiveness, comfort, sensitivity to touch, good fit and adequate cost.
- Synthetic (PVC, nitrile, vinyl, neoprene, elastomer, tactilon, polyisoprene, etc.). As an alternative to latex allergies, and when greater resistance and protection against microorganisms and chemical agents is required.
- Three-layer gloves : Made up of an outer layer of latex, an intermediate layer consisting of a mixture of latex and synthetic material (nitrile) and an inner layer of synthetic material (nitrile) that is in contact with the hand.
Powdered :
- With dust (from corn starch): It has the advantage of a lubricating effect that makes the glove easier to put on. The disadvantages are that it is irritating and therefore promotes allergies, and it is pro-inflammatory and can lead to postoperative complications. It also acts as a carrier for chemical substances and microorganisms. For this reason, latex or synthetic gloves without powder are used when handling cytostatics, since this prevents the cytostatic particles from adhering to the powder and remaining in the environment.
- Dust free. They undergo a chlorination or intensive washing process which also means that they have protein levels 4 to 20 times lower than those with powder. The latest generation of powder-free latex gloves receive a synthetic coating (hydrogel, silicone or other polymer) which confers the same qualities as those of powdered gloves (stretch, ease of wearing, flexibility).
According to their sterility:
- Surgical gloves (sterile).
- Examination gloves (sterile and non-sterile).
According to your indication:
- Surgical gloves : Sterile, they allow asepsis to be maintained when the natural barriers of the skin or mucous membranes are broken. They are indicated for surgical interventions and catheterizations. The quality of a surgical glove is not only measured by the physical characteristics of the product, the sensitivity, elasticity or resistance of the material. A very important factor to take into account is the allergenic potential of the glove.
- Examination or exploration gloves : Sterile and non-sterile.
- Specific protective gloves against chemical and cytotoxic agents : They provide protection and impermeability (nitrile and neoprene among others).
According to its shape:
- Anatomical gloves: They adapt perfectly to the anatomy of each hand (right and left).
- Ambidextrous gloves: The same glove is used for both hands. Non-sterile latex, vinyl or nitrile gloves are used to avoid physical contact with secretions, skin or mucous membranes, as well as with dirty or contaminated materials in risky procedures. They are used in maneuvers that do not require great dexterity or adaptability.
Products:
Gloves Collection
References:
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