Can Nonsterile Gloves for Dermatologic Procedures Be Cost-Effective without Compromising Infection Rates?

Over the last decade, studies have compared the use of sterile gloves (SGs) versus nonsterile gloves (NSGs) on surgical site infection (SSI) rates in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). In this study, we sought to determine SSI rates before and after employment of NSGs for dermatologic procedures. Infection data were collected from January 2009 to December 2015 on 7365 tumors treated with MMS and 1620 tumors treated by surgical excision. For MMS procedures using chlorhexidine as the antiseptic, the SSI rate with SGs was 3.39% compared to 3.06% with NSGs. For surgical excisions, the SSI rate was 3.02% with SGs and 4.17% with NSG. Using NSGs for MMS tumor resection and reconstruction can provide cost savings without adversely affecting SSI rates, and could also be considered in dermatologic procedures, including electrodessication and curettage and surgical excisions.

Cost effectiveness of Glove Endobag in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Review of the available literature.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most common procedure performed worldwide and remains the gold standard for symptomatic gallstones. The most common complication obser ved during this procedure is gallbladder perforation resulting in spillage of stones and bile into peritoneal cavity. In order to avoid such complications, gallbladder is commonly extracted in an endobag. The current literature review was conducted to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of glove endobags. PubMed and Google Scholar databses were searched to find relevant studies from January 1990 to December 2017. Search terms used were 'glove endobag' and 'laparoscopic cholecystectomy'. Literature suggests glove endobag is an effective and comparatively inexpensive compared to commercially prepared endobags.

Stable pneumorectum using an inline glove - a cost-effective technique to facilitate transanal total mesorectal excision.

AIM: Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) is a novel approach for resection of the rectum. Use of a standard insufflator to create pneumorectum, however, results in bellowing-large heaving motions from insufflation of air that can frustrate surgery. We report the successful application of our technique, stable pneumorectum using an inline glove (SPRING), for the performance of transanal rectal excision in a series of 17 patients using a standard laparoscopic insufflator. METHOD: A retrospective review of 17 patients using the SPRING technique was performed between October 2015 and October 2016. Characteristics of these patients were evaluated, and technique-related short-term outcome was reviewed. RESULTS: The SPRING technique was successfully used in patients who underwent both minimally invasive (n = 14) and open (n = 3) approaches in the abdominal stage of the surgery. In the 12 patients who had rectal cancer for whom SPRING was used to facilitate taTME there were no conversions to an alternative access for rectal resection, the median duration of the TME part of the operation was 95 min (62-147) and there was one R1 resection (8%). Billowing was not a significant problem in any of the 17 patients during the surgery. CONCLUSION: In this case series we have successfully shown the feasibility of the SPRING technique as a practical and cost-effective solution to the problem of billowing during taTME.

Glove perforation rate with orthopedic gloving versus double gloving technique in tibial plateau leveling osteotomy: A randomized trial.

In this randomized, prospective study, perforation rates, glove change rates, and cost between orthopedic gloves (n = 227) and double gloving with standard latex surgical gloves (n = 178) worn in tibial plateau leveling osteotomy procedures were compared. Gloves were collected from the surgeon and surgical resident after procedures and were tested for perforations with a standardized water leak test, as described by the American Society for Testing and Materials International. No statistically significant difference was found between the perforation rate using orthopedic gloving and double gloving techniques (P = 0.629) or the rate at which gloves were changed (P = 0.146). Orthopedic gloving was 2.1 times more costly than double gloving but they may be preferred by surgeons for dexterity and comfort.

Taux de perforation des gants avec le gantage orthopédiquepar oppositionà une technique de double gantage pour l'ostéotomie de nivellement du plateau tibial : un essai randomisé. Dans cette étude prospective randomisée, les taux de perforation, les taux de changement des gants et le coût des gants orthopédiques (n = 227) et du double gantage avec des gants de chirurgie au latex standard (n = 178) portés dans les interventions d'ostéotomie du nivellement du plateau tibial ont été comparés. Les gants ont été recueillis auprès du chirurgien et du résident en chirurgie après les interventions et ils ont été testés pour les perforations à l'aide d'un test de fuite normalisé, tel que décrit par l'American Society for Testing and Materials International. Aucune différence statistique n'a été constatée entre le taux de perforation à l'aide des techniques de gants orthopédiques et du double gantage (P = 0,629) ou le taux de remplacement des gants (P = 0,146). Le gantage orthopédique était 2,1 fois plus cher que le double gantage mais il peut être privilégié par les chirurgiens car il offre plus de dextérité et de confort.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

[Use of Reusable Textile Undergloves for Medical Procedures: A Feasibility Study]. / Einsatz wiederaufbereitbarer textiler Unterziehhandschuhe für medizinische Tätigkeiten: eine Machbarkeitsstudie.

OBJECTIVE: Undergloves are a way to reduce moisture-related skin damage. The aim of this feasibility study was to gain experience with logistics, applicability, acceptability and cost of the routine use of reusable textile undergloves in a hospital setting. METHODS: Undergloves were tested with 18 health-care workers on an intensive care unit over three months. Data on usage as well as logistics were recorded. At baseline, personal data and knowledge and use of cotton undergloves, existing skin problems and the nursing behaviour of the hands by the subjects were determined by means of an input questionnaire. After each wearing, data on usage were collected by a questionnaire. Participants were interviewed by means of a questionnaire with respect to their experience with the use of the undergloves. RESULTS: Acceptance and compliance with the use of undergloves was remarkably good. This was partly due to the properties of the gloves, and partly to the reduction of sweating and very positive effect on the skin of the hands. In the study period 2165 underglove uses were documented, resulting in an average daily consumption of four pairs per person per day. The average wearing time was 28.6 min. The undergloves were suitable for application as well as reprocessing. Reprocessment-related fatigue was relatively low and did not lead to the loss of the properties, only few gloves had to be sorted out. Even if one assumes a complete write-off of the gloves with end of the study, costs for reprocessing were about 0.46 € or 64 % less than the single use. CONCLUSION: The routine use of textile, reprocessable undergloves is feasible. Major challenges for broad usage are within logistics and acceptance by the user.

Performance analysis of exam gloves used for aseptic rodent surgery.

Aseptic technique includes the use of sterile surgical gloves for survival surgeries in rodents to minimize the incidence of infections. Exam gloves are much less expensive than are surgical gloves and may represent a cost-effective, readily available option for use in rodent surgery. This study examined the effectiveness of surface disinfection of exam gloves with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a solution of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid (HP-PA) in reducing bacterial contamination. Performance levels for asepsis were met when gloves were negative for bacterial contamination after surface disinfection and sham 'exertion' activity. According to these criteria, 94% of HP-PA-disinfected gloves passed, compared with 47% of alcohol-disinfected gloves. In addition, the effect of autoclaving on the integrity of exam gloves was examined, given that autoclaving is another readily available option for aseptic preparation. Performance criteria for glove integrity after autoclaving consisted of: the ability to don the gloves followed by successful simulation of wound closure and completion of stretch tests without tearing or observable defects. Using this criteria, 98% of autoclaved nitrile exam gloves and 76% of autoclaved latex exam gloves met performance expectations compared with the performance of standard surgical gloves (88% nitrile, 100% latex). The results of this study support the use of HP-PA-disinfected latex and nitrile exam gloves or autoclaved nitrile exam gloves as viable cost-effective alternatives to sterile surgical gloves for rodent surgeries.

Smarter procurement could save NHS millions each year.

A campaign that could save the NHS millions through procuring medical supplies more efficiently has been launched.

Comparison of the prevalence of surgical site infection with use of sterile versus nonsterile gloves for resection and reconstruction during Mohs surgery.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of surgical site infection (SSI) is low with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). It has not been determined whether sterile gloves (SG) or nonsterile gloves (NSG) should be used for resection and reconstruction during MMS. OBJECTIVE: To compare the SSI rate with the use of SG and NSG for MMS, including reconstruction, and to determine whether SG help prevent SSI. MATERIALS & METHODS: Data were collected and recorded for Mohs cases in which SG or NSG were used. Infected cases and SSI rate for SG and NSG were also recorded. Chi-square analysis was performed to compare SSI. RESULTS: There were 1,004 tumors in 942 patients in the SG group and 1,021 tumors in 941 patients in the NSG group. The prevalence of infection was 0.50% in the SG group and 0.49% in the NSG group (p = .82). The cost of gloves was $5.66 for one SG case and $1.63 for one NSG case. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of infection with SG and NSG was almost identical. The cost to use SG was 3.5 times as great as for NSG. The use of NSG for MMS and reconstruction is safe and cost effective.

Factors that influence the selection of sterile glove brand: a randomized controlled trial evaluating the performance and cost of gloves.

PURPOSE: To determine whether glove use modifies tactile and psychomotor performance of health care providers when compared with no glove use and to evaluate factors that influence the selection of sterile glove brand. METHODS: Forty-two anesthesia providers (nine anesthesiologists, seven nurse anesthetists, 20 residents, six student nurse anesthetists) enrolled in and completed this cross-over randomized trial from May 2010 until August 2011. Participants underwent standardized psychomotor testing while wearing five different types of protective gloves. Assessments of psychomotor performance included tactile, fine motor/dexterity, and hand-eye coordination tests. Subjective ratings of glove comfort and performance were reported at the completion of each glove trial. The manufacturer's suggested retail price was collected for each glove tested. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in touch sensitivity for all nerve distributions, with all glove types resulting in less sensitivity than a bare hand. When compared with the non-sterile glove, only the thickest glove tested (Ansell Perry Orthopaedic) was found to have less touch sensitivity. Fine motor dexterity testing revealed no statistically significant differences in time to completion amongst glove types or bare handed performance. In hand-eye coordination testing across treatment conditions, the thickest glove tested (Ansell Perry(®) Orthopaedic) was the only glove to show a statistically significant difference from a bare hand. There were statistically significant differences in glove comfort ratings across glove types, with latex-free, powder-free (Cardinal Esteem(®)), and latex powder-free (Mölnlycke-Biogel(®)) rated highest; however, there were no statistically significant differences in subjective performance ratings across glove types. CONCLUSIONS: Given the observed similarities in touch sensitivity and psychomotor performance associated with five different glove types, our results suggest that subjective provider preferences, such as glove comfort, should be balanced against material costs.

Latex medical gloves: time for a reappraisal.

Many hospitals have implemented policies to restrict or ban the use of devices made of natural rubber latex (NRL) in healthcare as precautionary measures against the perceived risk of NRL allergy. Changes in glove technology, progress in measuring the specific allergenic potential of gloves and a dramatic decrease in the prevalence of NRL allergies after interventions and education prompted us to revisit the basis for justifiable glove selection policies. The published Anglophone literature from 1990 to 2010 was reviewed for original articles and reviews dealing with the barrier and performance properties of NRL and synthetic gloves and the role of glove powder. The review shows that NRL medical gloves, when compared with synthetic gloves, tend to be stronger, more flexible and better accepted by clinicians. The introduction of powder-free gloves has been associated with reductions in protein content and associated allergies. Recently, new methods to quantify clinically relevant NRL allergens have enabled the identification of gloves with low allergenic potential. The use of low-protein, low-allergenic, powder-free gloves is associated with a significant decrease in the prevalence of type I allergic reactions to NRL among healthcare workers. Given the excellent barrier properties and operating characteristics, dramatically reduced incidences of allergic reactions, availability of specific tests for selection of low-allergen gloves, competitive costs and low environmental impact, the use of NRL gloves within the hospital environment warrants reappraisal.

[Criteria for choice and purchase of gloves: quality or cheapness? The role of the Occupational Health Physician]. / Criteri per l'acquisto e la scelta dei guanti: qualità o economicità? II ruolo del medico competente.

BACKGROUND: The choice of gloves in the healthcare settings is very important because of the high biological and chemical risks present in these workplaces. In order to rationalize and optimize this choice we must balance cost, quality, security and comfort. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse the rules in force and to point out the relevant role of the Occupational Health Physician in the right choice and purchase of sanitary gloves. METHODS: We reviewed the rules in force and the most relevant studies on these topics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The regulations in force provide that the manufacturers must perform tests to supply evidence for the quality of the products but they do not indicate which analytical method should be used and they do not require that the results are reported in the technical sheets. Thus the manufacturers have only to declare to be "in accordance with the rules". Therefore purchasers should require the manufacturing companies to give detailed information and verify their reliability. Moreover rules could be adapted to higher quality standards. The Occupational Health Physician should suggest the purchase of gloves with high biocompatibility, assuring the protection from the risks of specific tasks and suitable for preventing the onset of new glove-related diseases and the relapses in workers with already diagnosed occupational diseases.

Cut-resistant protective gloves in pathology--effective and cost-effective.

Cutting injuries and needle-stitch injuries constitute a potentially fatal danger to both pathologists and autopsy personnel. We evaluated such injuries in a large German institute of pathology from 2002 to 2007 and analysed the effect of the introduction of cut-resistant gloves on the incidence of these injuries. In the observation period, 64 injuries (48 cutting injuries and 16 needle-stitch injuries) were noted in the injury report books. Most injuries were located at the non-dominant hand, preferentially at the index finger and the thumb. Around one fifths of the injuries were at the side of handedness. The average number of injuries per month was 1.22 for the 50 months prior to the introduction of cut-resistant gloves, more than seven times higher than after their introduction (0.158; 19 months; p < 0.001). Considering the medical and administrational costs of such injuries, cut-resistant protective gloves are an effective and cost-effective completion of personal occupational safety measures in surgical pathology and autopsy. We strongly recommend the use of such gloves, especially for autopsy personnel.

[The risk of surgical glove perforations]. / Risiko for perforasjon av operasjonshansker.

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of blood-borne viral diseases has drawn attention to the barrier between the surgical personnel's hands and the patients body fluids during surgery. At present, the typical practice is to use double gloving in orthopaedic surgery, and single gloving in other types of surgery. The main purpose of our study was to estimate and compare the perforation risk in different categories of surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a series of 655 surgical operations covering 5 main categories of surgery, all detected glove perforations were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: Perforations were found in 203 out of 655 operations (31%). The observed perforation frequency was 44.5% in gastrointestinal surgery, 34.7% in orthopaedic surgery, 31.1% in gynaecology, 18.6% in vascular surgery and 9.2% in general surgery. In some subcategories, the frequencies were even higher. INTERPRETATION: In several categories of surgery, we found high perforation frequencies. Perforations in single gloves are often not detected during operations. This may increase the risk of transmission of blood-borne infections, particularly because the time of exposure may be long. Double indicator gloves make the intra-operative detection of perforations easier. Also double gloving is known to significantly reduce the perforation risk. The use of double indicator gloves is recommended in all categories of surgery.

Cobertura quirúrgica desechable / Disposable surgical products

La “Directiva de Productos Sanitarios” (DD) define Producto Sanitario como aquel producto fabricado con el fin de ser utilizado sobre o en un cuerpo humano para el diagnóstico, monitorización, prevención, supervisión, tratamiento o alivio de enfermedades o heridas. En este artículo se aborda la cobertura quirúrgica de aquellos productos sanitarios utilizados por personal sanitario y pacientes, así como los requerimientos que de éstos se desprenden (AU)

The “Health Product Guidelins” (MDD) defines Health Products as those products monitoring, prevention, supervision, treatment or relief of illnesses or injuries. This article tackles the surgical aspect of those health products used by health staff and patients, as well as the requirements which these entail (AU)

Medical devices; patient examination and surgeons' gloves; test procedures and acceptance criteria. Final rule.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule to improve the barrier quality of medical gloves marketed in the United States. The rule will accomplish this by reducing the current acceptable quality levels (AQLs) for leaks and visual defects observed during FDA testing of medical gloves. By reducing the AQLs for medical gloves, FDA will also harmonize its AQLs with consensus standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and ASTM International (ASTM).

Conversion to low-protein, powder-free surgical gloves: is it worth the cost?

This study was conducted to determine changes in overall costs associated with conversion to powder-free gloves including cost of workers' compensation cases for natural rubber latex (NRL)-related symptoms and health care workers' glove satisfaction. The study, a 2-year, longitudinal design with retrospective and prospective aspects, was developed to determine health care worker use of powder-free, low-protein NRL gloves, sensitization, cost, and glove satisfaction. Informed consent was obtained from 103 health care workers. Prior to glove conversion, nearly one-half (44%, 36 of 82) of the operating room staff reported symptoms related to NRL exposure. At the end of the 14-month data collection period, only 27% (22 of 82, McNemar test = .007) reported symptoms related to NRL exposure. Additionally, a cost savings of 10,000 dollars per year for gloves was evident with reports of increased user satisfaction. This study demonstrated that conversion to the use of powder-free, low-protein NRL gloves not only reduces health care worker NRL symptoms, but also positively affects the costs of glove purchases and workers' compensation.