M A R C H 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 5 5
Strength in numbers
A glove's strength is key to its barrier
protection effectiveness. Manufacturers
can provide data on:
• Tensile strength. This is the amount
of force required to puncture the glove,
measured in MPa. The higher the num-
ber, the stronger the glove.
• Elongation. This represents a glove's
elasticity, how far it can stretch beyond
its manufactured length before breaking,
presented as a percentage. Note: Tensile
strength and elongation are often meas-
ured before and after a heat treatment
that simulates the effects of a year on
the shelf.
• Leaks. The FDA has set an acceptable
quality level (AQL) of up to 2.5 defects
per 1,000 gloves in random-sample visual
inspections and water leak testing.
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Powder's pitfalls
Latex gloves are frequently dusted with powder
to assist in donning. But there's a catch. The
powder not only absorbs latex proteins to pres-
ent an airborne respiratory irritation risk, it can
also contaminate, infect or otherwise hinder the
healing of wounds. Some manufacturers wash
gloves to reduce their protein content (mea-
sured in micrograms per gram), but powder-
free gloves sidestep the issue entirely. Gloves
featuring interior coatings for ease of donning
may even carry skin care benefits for wearers.
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Cuff concerns
It's not enough for a glove to fit snugly
over the hand. It must also fully cover
the cuff of the surgical gown without
looseness, rolling down or sliding, which
could expose the wearer's skin and con-
taminate the sterile field. Gloves that
incorporate an adhesive band inside or a
ribbed design at the wrist can help keep
them stable and secure them to the
cuff, preventing "glove creep."
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Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
