Infection prevention
strength are preferable, as this provides a more reliable barrier against body fluid exposure and ultimately disease transmission and minimises the risk of injury to patients. A standard non-sterile nitrile examination
glove will typically have a tensile strength of 6N. Higher quality gloves can have a tensile strength of up to 8-9N, which can withstand considerably more force before they tear than a glove with a tensile strength of 6N. Gloves with a higher tensile strength are less prone to break during donning and when being used, so are safer and more sustainable. By prioritising the quality and resistance of gloves, healthcare professionals can ensure a safer working environment and more effective healthcare delivery.
Packaging and dispensing Proper packaging and dispensing of gloves are essential aspects to ensure their effectiveness, safety, sustainability, and hygiene. Packaging that protects gloves from damage, facilitates easy, access and allows for cleaning and disinfection is essential. The way that gloves are packaged, and dispensed influences the number of gloves that are wasted. The NICPM requires gloves to be put on by touching the wrist opening only. Most manufacturers package gloves so that
they are dispensed in various configurations, making it virtually impossible to touch the wrist opening only. Dispensing methods that allow gloves to be handled by the wrist only should be prioritised, which will reduce both risk and waste. The material that gloves are packaged in is important and should facilitate effective cleaning and disinfection. Most gloves are batch inspected during their manufacture, meaning that a sample of each batch will be inspected for defects. However, some gloves are each individually inspected as they complete their manufacture journey, which improves quality and reduces wastage.
Supply chain Several manufacturers of gloves used in healthcare settings have questionable ethical standards, potentially associated with labour practices that may involve undue pressure or influence.7
The various markets for gloves
have an unrealistically low price expectation, which can only be achieved by means of an unethical supply chain.7
It is important to
understand where gloves are manufactured, and the ethics and ethos of the companies producing them. There is opportunity to achieve sustainable and ethical efficiency to generate lower prices through investment in full automation of glove production. In recent years, the
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glove manufacturing industry has witnessed significant advancements in the field of automation. Implementing automated technologies can improve product efficiency, quality and safety, while also providing economic benefits for manufacturers. The location of manufacture is important, with many hospitals in Europe favouring European manufacture in order to provide more assurances around the supply chain.
Consequences of incorrect glove choice If an appropriate glove is not selected for the task at hand, consequences can be significant, both in terms of infection risk and over-use of gloves. Infection risk can be caused by incorrect glove choice by, for example, selecting a non- sterile glove when a sterile glove is indicated,
choosing a glove of inadequate quality (in terms of AQL or tensile strength) that fails during clinical care, or incorrect dispensing meaning that contaminated healthcare provider hands make contact with the part of the glove that subsequently touches a patient. Over-use of gloves can occur by incorrect
glove choice by, for example, selecting a relatively expensive sterile glove when a cheaper non-sterile glove is indicated, a high rate of defective gloves at the point of dispensing or during patient care, or over-dispensing of gloves because of sub-optimal dispensing mechanisms. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to
carefully consider the specific requirements of the task or environment and choose gloves that provide adequate protection, comfort, and dexterity. For this to happen, it is important to
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