Regent Medical has been aggressive in the marketing of their Biogel gloves, using a powder substitute that aids in the donning of gloves. Safeskin recently announced a three- year contract to supply powder free and synthetic gloves to Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser is the first major health care organization to implement an exclusive powder free and synthetic glove policy throughout its network system. The evidence is clear that the market is seeking a viable alternative to powdered latex gloves. The latex allergy problem is a complex one involving more than just patient and worker health care issues.
Old habits are hard to break.
Information and communication are key catalysts in the transformation to a new paradigm. The Internet is full of sites dealing with the latex allergy issue. Exploring some of these and conducting your own search on the Web can broaden your understanding of the problem and provide you with recommendations for some of your customers in addressing their latex concerns. As the market shifts to latex alternatives, care must be taken to manage the change in a controlled way that avoids product shortages and ensures the economic stability of both producers and consumers. With so much at stake in the form of dollars and well being of patients, there will continue to be much debate.