Post-operative consequences of glove powder used pre-operatively in the vagina in the rabbit model.
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This study was undertaken to determine if a retrograde migration of glove powder (Biosorb(TM)) from the vagina into the abdominal cavity in combination with a subsequent intra-abdominal trauma could affect the development of adhesions. A rabbit model was used with one control and one test group. A total of 50 mg Biosorb(TM) was deposited intravaginally in the test cases before ovulation was induced. Three days later a laparotomy with a small standardized surgical trauma was carried out on the left Fallopian tube and the ipsilateral peritoneum. Ten days later the extent of intra-abdominal adhesions was evaluated. The presence of starch particles in cell smears and biopsies was also investigated. Significant differences in the formation of adhesions were found between the control and the test cases (P < 0.001). In the test group there were dense adhesions and in four cases the Fallopian tube was completely attached to the peritoneal wall. In the control cases only loose minor adhesions were found. This study indicates that the number of starch particles migrating from the vagina to the abdominal cavity is sufficient to enhance significantly the formation of post-operative adhesions. We therefore suggest that powder-free medical or surgical gloves should be used in obstetrics and gynaecology. (+info)
Pattern of occupational allergic dermatitis in the Dermatology Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
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A two years retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed as contact allergic dermatitis with positive patch test attending the Dermatology clinic was performed. Of the 346 patients with a positive patch test, 14% had occupational dermatitis. This condition affected mainly young and inexperienced workers. An inverse relationship was seen between age and prevalence of occupational allergic dermatitis. Allergic hand dermatitis was the commonest presentation in occupational allergic dermatitis. This was followed by dermatitis of the exposed skin (face, neck, hands and forearms). The common sensitising agents identified were rubber chemicals and nickel. The two main groups at risk were factory workers and medical personnel. The common allergens found in factory workers were epoxy resin, pewter, nickel and rubber chemicals. Exposure dermatitis occurred in patients working in the pewter industry. Two thirds of medical personnel with hand dermatitis were allergic to rubber gloves. One year follow up after patch testing showed that 19% of patients still suffered from chronic dermatitis. Dermatitis improved in 34% of patients. Forty-seven percent were cured and stopped attending the clinic after patch testing and adequate counselling. (+info)
The health professional's role in preventing nosocomial infections.
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Despite their best intentions, health professionals sometimes act as vectors of disease, disseminating new infections among their unsuspecting clients. Attention to simple preventive strategies may significantly reduce disease transmission rates. Frequent hand washing remains the single most important intervention in infection control. However, identifying mechanisms to ensure compliance by health professionals remains a perplexing problem. Gloves, gowns, and masks have a role in preventing infections, but are often used inappropriately, increasing service costs unnecessarily. While virulent microorganisms can be cultured from stethoscopes and white coats, their role in disease transmission remains undefined. There is greater consensus about sterile insertion techniques for intravascular catheters-a common source of infections-and their care. By following a few simple rules identified in this review, health professionals may prevent much unnecessary medical and financial distress to their patients. (+info)
Latex sensitization in health care workers and in the US general population.
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Sensitization to natural rubber latex is a prerequisite to type I immediate hypersensitivity reactions (urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, and allergic rhinitis) that result from subsequent latex exposure. This study examines occupations in which latex glove use is common to determine whether it is associated with increased prevalence odds of latex sensitization (measured by latex-specific immunoglobulin E antibodies) by using data from 5,512 adults aged 17--60 years from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988--1991). After other factors associated with latex sensitization were controlled for, there was a nonsignificant association between longest-held jobs in health care and latex sensitization (odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95 percent confidence interval (CI): 0.92, 2.40). For current occupations, latex sensitization was not associated with health care work in which gloves were used (OR = 1.17, 95 percent CI: 0.51, 2.65) or with other occupations in which latex glove use is common (OR = 1.01, 95 percent CI: 0.49, 2.07) compared with other occupations. Current health care workers who reported not using gloves were at increased risk of latex sensitization, both among those without a history of childhood atopy (OR = 2.30, 95 percent CI: 1.04, 5.13) and those with such a history (OR = 28.04, 95 percent CI: 3.64, 215.97). This odds ratio heterogeneity suggests that subjects with childhood atopy may be at high risk of latex sensitization. (+info)
An assessment of the incidence of punctures in latex and non-latex dental examination gloves in routine clinical practice.
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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the puncture resistance of a recently introduced non-latex, nitrile dental glove in comparison with a latex glove worn during routine clinical dental procedures. SETTING: Dentists in general dental practice working within the UK during 1999. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 2,020 gloves worn by five general dental practitioners were examined for punctures following standard clinical use by a water inflation method. Procedures undertaken during glove usage and length of time worn were recorded. RESULTS: Following clinical use, 1.9% of the latex gloves and 5.3% of the nitrile gloves had punctures, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001). The puncture resistance of the nitrile gloves was superior to the puncture resistance of previously tested worn non-latex (vinyl) gloves. There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference between operators for the percentage or incidence of punctured gloves (P = 0.787) after correcting for glove type. No statistically significant difference was noted between incidence of puncture in the control, unused gloves (n = 200 for each type) and the gloves examined following clinical use (P = 0.907 for nitrile, P = 0.613 for latex). CONCLUSION: No increase in the number of punctures was noted following clinical use for either glove type. This could be considered to indicate good puncture resistance of the gloves tested in clinical use. (+info)
What is "powder free"? Characterisation of powder aerosol produced during simulated use of powdered and powder free latex gloves.
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OBJECTIVES: To characterise the distribution of particle size and mass of glove powder aerosol released from powdered and powder free non-sterile latex gloves under controlled conditions. METHODS: Gravimetric sampling and aerodynamic particle size analysis were performed during simulated use of gloves on a prosthetic hand in a chamber designed to minimise background particle concentrations. RESULTS: Aerosol was detectable for both powdered and powder free gloves under both aggressive and non-aggressive handling conditions. Most of the particles detected had aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microm. CONCLUSION: Powder free gloves were not entirely free of powder aerosol. Particles from both powdered and powder free gloves are sufficiently fine to penetrate into the thoracic region of the respiratory tract. (+info)
An evaluation of the flammability of five dental gloves.
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OBJECTIVE: To assess the flammability of five brands of dental procedure glove. DESIGN: A total of ten gloves of each brand (Biogel-D, Premier Protectors, Roeko-D, Safeskin Satin Plus and Schottlander Low Allergy) underwent flammability testing. Five of these were tested as supplied (unwashed) and five following the application of the hand disinfectant Hydrex (washed). Each glove was stretched over a metal frame and the time to ignition, when exposed to a standardised butane flame, recorded. In addition, the thickness of each glove was also assessed by micrometer measurement. RESULTS: All the gloves tested ignited in less than 2.5 seconds. Two way analysis of variance revealed significant effects of glove type (P< 0.001) and treatment (P< 0.05), together with a significant interaction of these factors (P < 0.05), upon the ignition time. Washing Roeko-D gloves with Hydrex significantly (P< 0.01) retarded the ignition time compared with those in the unwashed state. Both the glove thickness and material type appeared to be related to ignition time. CONCLUSION: The work presented here demonstrates the acute and varying flammability of a range of dental procedure gloves. It should serve as a reminder to those who routinely use open flames whilst gloved of the dangers of this practice. (+info)
Intraoperative glove perforation--single versus double gloving in protection against skin contamination.
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Surgeons have the highest risk of contact with patients' blood and body fluids, and breaches in gloving material may expose operating room staff to risk of infections. This prospective randomised study was done to assess the effectiveness of the practice of double gloving compared with single gloving in decreasing finger contamination during surgery. In 66 consecutive surgical procedures studied, preoperative skin abrasions were detected on the hands of 17.4% of the surgeons. In the double gloving pattern, 32 glove perforations were observed, of which 22 were in the outer glove and 10 in the inner glove. Only four outer glove perforations had matching inner glove perforations, thus indicating that in 82% of cases when the outer glove is perforated the inner glove will protect the surgeon's hand from contamination. The presence of visible skin contamination was also higher in perforation with the single gloving pattern (42.1%) than with the double gloving pattern (22.7%). An overwhelming majority of glove perforations (83.3%) went unnoticed. Double gloving was accepted by the majority of surgeons, especially with repeated use. It is recommended that double gloves are used routinely in all surgical procedures in view of the significantly higher protection it provides. (+info)