A study on powdering of reusable surgical gloves.

OBJECTIVES: To study the need of powdering surgical gloves and to produce a powdering machine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The need of powdering surgical gloves was done by questionnaires to directors or chiefs of purchase departments in 29 hospitals across the country. The practice in powdering surgical gloves was given by chiefs of the central sterile supply department (CSSD). A powdering machine was produced by the researchers in consultation with CSSD personnel in a hospital. The quality of powdering surgical gloves was evaluated by infection control nurses in the hospital. Cost comparison was done by a health economist. RESULTS: The study in 2002 revealed that all of the 29 hospitals used recycled surgical gloves. Powdering of surgical gloves was done by hand in 27.6% and by powdering machine in 62.10%. Corn powder was used in 55.2% and talc in 41.4%.Defects in powdering ranged from 1.1% to 51.7%. No defects was found in surgical gloves powdered by the machine produced by the researchers. The costs for powdering and one pair of reused surgical gloves were 0.10 and 5.59 baht respectively. CONCLUSION: Surgical gloves were reused in all hospitals in Thailand The powdering machine was effective and was not difficult to make.

A study for the production of containers used in the diagnosis and prevention of infection.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To study the need of containers used in the diagnosis and prevention of infection. 2. To produce the containers, 3. To test the practicability of the product. MATERIAL AND METHOD: - The study on the need of the containers was done by questionnaires answered by nurses and microbiology laboratory technicians in 56 hospitals. - The containers were produced by the researchers who later had them tested for their practicability by nurses and technicians in the same hospitals. - The study was done during 2002-2004. RESULTS: Fifty-six hospitals were enrolled by stratified random sampling. Questionnaires were responded by 424 nurses and 35 microbiology laboratory technicians. Sputum trap, body fluid and feces containers and needle disposal box were studied and the need for commercial products was 31.1%, 31.1%, 32.3% and 99.5% respectively. Sixteen percent to 58.5% of these containers were bought and 14.3% to 68.6% were home-made. Sputum trap, body fluid and feces containers, and needle disposal boxes were produced and tested by 400 nurses and 32 laboratory technicians. The products were evaluated as satisfactory in 59.4% to 80.0%. The lid of the needle disposal box designed as saw tooth was not convenient for use and was later modified to various slits. The costs of the containers produced were 1.3% to 29.8% of available commercial products. CONCLUSION: Sputum trap, body fluid and feces containers and needle disposal boxes of reasonable prices were needed in Thailand. These containers could be produced locally and were much cheaper than available commercial ones.

A study on the application of pasteurization of medical equipment.

OBJECTIVES: To study the need of pasteurization of medical equipment and the possibility of production of pasteurizer in Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The need of pasteurization of medical equipment was studied by a set of questionnaires to heads of the central sterile supply department (CSSD) and head ward nurses in 29 hospitals across Thailand. Efficacy of pasteurization was demonstrated by disinfection with an imported pasteurizer. A pasteurizer was later produced by the researchers and had it tested for efficacy in disinfection. RESULTS: There were 26 items of medical equipment that could be disinfected by pasteurization. The number of the equipment was 6.2 pieces per bed per week. Disinfection of the equipment was done in C.S.S.D. as well as in patient's wards. The imported pasteurizer was efficacious in disinfection. The pasteurizer made by researchers was convenient for use, not expensive to manufacture and the operating cost for disinfection was 2 to 6 folds less than that done by ethylene oxide gas. CONCLUSION: Pasteurization is effective in disinfection and is applicable to certain heat labile medical equipments. A pasteurizer is not difficult to produce, cheap and the operating cost is low. Pasteurization should be more widely applied in Thailand