A variety of medical gloves are now offered to hospitals. Because medical gloves are an important protective barrier for workers and patients alike, it is essential that one make an educated choice to ensure that the glove provides the necessary protection. During the glove selection process, one must recognize what protection the gloves need to provide and make sure that any gloves selected provide that type of protection. Consider known health effects associated with gloves Medical gloves themselves have the potential for adversely affecting both health care workers and patients. Therefore, it is important to consider the following concerns and make sure that gloves will provide the protection needed without introducing risk to health care workers or patients.
Latex allergy can affect both health care workers and patients.
Use of powdered gloves can lead to granulomas and adhesions in surgical patients, requiring surgical attention. Airborne powder may have high bacterial and latex protein levels, introducing risk of infection or allergic reaction for both patients and hospital staff. Glove fit is important to prevent chafing of the skin. In addition, gloves that fit poorly sometimes make it difficult to perform manual tasks, such as grasping or manipulating medical devices. In some cases, workers compensate by gripping more tightly, which over time can cause hand trauma or accidents.