Medical glove

Medical gloves are essential disposable tools used during medical examinations and procedures. Their primary purpose is to prevent cross-contamination between healthcare providers and patients. This process helps stop the spread of germs from one person to another. They also protect workers from contact with blood and other body fluids. While they offer basic protection against some corrosives, they are not invincible. These gloves can be easily penetrated by solvents and various hazardous chemicals. Therefore, they should not be used for tasks like dishwashing where hands are immersed in solvents.

To understand how these gloves work, we must look at the materials used to make them. They are manufactured from different polymers, which are types of plastics or rubbers. Common materials include latex, nitrile rubber, neoprene, and polyvinyl chloride. Nitrile is often chosen because it is more resistant to tearing and many chemicals than natural latex. However, using non-latex materials can be expensive. For example, nitrile gloves can cost over twice as much as latex ones. This cost can make it difficult for some hospitals to switch materials.

There are two main categories of medical gloves: examination and surgical. Examination gloves are used for routine checkups and can be either sterile or non-sterile. They are generally available in sizes XS, S, M, L, and sometimes XL. Surgical gloves are held to a much higher standard. They are generally sterile and designed for much higher precision and sensitivity. Because surgeons wear them for long periods, sizing is extremely precise. Sizing is based on the circumference of the palm in inches. Typical sizes range from 5.5 to 9.0 in 0.5 increments.

Historically, the use of gloves began due to a need for protection. In 1889, Caroline Hampton was the chief nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She developed a skin reaction to mercuric chloride, which was used for asepsis, or cleanliness. To protect her, William Halsted asked the Goodyear Rubber Company to produce thin rubber gloves. Halsted implemented the use of sterilized medical gloves at the hospital in 1894. Much later, in 1965, the Ansell Rubber Co. Pty. Ltd. invented the first modern disposable glove. They used a production technique originally used for making condoms.

In the past, manufacturers used powders to make gloves easier to put on. These powders acted as lubricants to help the hands slide in. Early powders from pines or club moss were actually toxic. Later, talcum powder was used for decades, but it was linked to scar formation. Even corn starch, which replaced talc, could cause inflammatory reactions or impede healing during surgery. To solve this, manufacturers now use chlorination or polymer coatings. Chlorination treats the gloves with chlorine to make them easier to don. Polymer coatings, such as silicone, acrylic resins, or gels, are also used.

Medical gloves are part of a massive global industry. In 2020, the market for these gloves was worth more than USD 10.17 billion. This market is expected to grow by 9.2 per cent every year until 2028. Most of these gloves are manufactured in South East Asia. In 2020, Malaysia alone produced about three quarters of the world's supply. However, this industry has faced serious investigations regarding labor rights. In some factories in Malaysia and Thailand, workers have faced debt bondage or poor conditions. In 2019, the US Department of Labor temporarily banned imports from Top Glove, the world's largest manufacturer at the time.

One advanced safety technique is called double gloving. This is the practice of wearing two layers of gloves at once. Surgeons often do this when operating on patients with infectious agents like HIV or hepatitis. It also protects patients from infections that might be transmitted by the surgeon. Research shows that double gloving is very effective. A review of 12 studies showed it reduced inner glove perforations by 71 percent. While one layer might fail, the second layer provides a critical safety net.