Don't expect the switch to non-latex to magically happen overnight.
It took Sam Sullivan, RN, 3 years to convert the University of
Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center exclusively to non-latex gloves. Only
when he couched the issue in its most crucial tenet of safety did non-
latex really catch on with staff, says Mr. Sullivan.
Gloves touch all OR team members, but keep in mind that surgeons
can become very attached to their gloves and highly emotional if you
ask them to switch. For some, there is no other glove but the one they
trained in, the one they're used to, the one they like.
"It takes a whole systemic change, right through to purchasing,"
says Robert Hamilton, PhD, a professor of pathology at Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine.
You need a literal hands-on approach. Organize glove trials so peo-
ple can touch the gloves you want them to wear. "If you want your
facility to make the switch, you need to involve all impacted parties in
the process," adds Dr. Brown. "Have fit-and-feel demonstrations. Give
different models a trial."
Here's a look at the different materials used to manufacture non-
latex gloves:
• Polyisoprene. When it comes to mimicking latex gloves, polyiso-
prene cuts it closest. Providers who choose polyisoprene typically
report comfort and elasticity levels that match latex, and current mod-
els often feature a polymer lining that makes them easier to wear over
damp or dry hands. The catch with this material is its higher cost.
• Neoprene. This material experienced the most tearing in the early
days of non-latex gloves. Neoprene started out stiffer and less elastic,
which made it more susceptible to damage, but over the years, many
neoprene models have overcome previous flaws and become sturdier
and more reliable. In fact, the toughness of neoprene is what gives it
its strength: excellent barrier protection (osmag.net/
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