Non-Latex Gloves
How to get your OR team to switch to the safer alternative.
W
hen non-
latex
gloves hit
the market about 20
years ago, they were
noticeably different
from their latex coun-
terparts — and not in
a good way. They
were tougher, stiffer,
more prone to tearing,
and less tactile and
sensitive, too. They were also harder to double-glove, which frustrat-
ed many. Plus, with the price of non-latex considerably higher than
latex, many didn't see the value in switching to a less satisfying prod-
uct.
But in response to a surge in latex allergies among both patients and
providers, glove manufacturers have steadily answered all of these
concerns over the years — including the price disparity. Today's non-
latex gloves hold their own against latex in terms of sensitivity, tactili-
ty and certainly durability. Still, you can expect some pushback from
surgeons and staff who might be wary of non-latex gloves when you
set out to make a full or partial conversion.
"The most common complaints about non-latex gloves are still that
people aren't used to them," says Robert Brown, MD, professor of
anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in
Baltimore, Md. "Some surgeons say they can't work as well as they do
with latex."
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Thinking of Buying ...
Joe Madsen | Associate Editor
• FIT-AND-FEEL TRIALS Let every member of the surgical team trial non-latex
models.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
