In any healthcare setting you’ll find multiple reasons to use gloves. But one glove may not serve well for all applications. To optimize performance with cost efficiency and access the appropriate level of infection protection, you’ll need to match the kind of glove to your intended activity.
General purpose gloves are disposable gloves that are great as hygiene aids for activities like food handling and housekeeping. Medical or exam gloves, on the other hand, need to be worn when directly in contact with a patient outside the OR, or other surgical sites; since surgical gloves need to be worn in those areas Here we take a closer look at what you need to know about how medical and industrial gloves differ:
Gloves are often made from either latex, nitrile or vinyl. Which material is used to make a new set of gloves depends on the tasks they’re intended for.
Disposable gloves are categorized according to their intended use. Medical gloves — including examination and surgical gloves, and those used to handle chemotherapy agents — are categorized by the FDA as medical devices that need to pass stringent technical tests before they can be labeled as safe for surgery or medical examination. This means they’re vetted for things like stretchability, leak and have an AQL of 2.5.
Industrial grade (or general purpose) gloves fall under the FDA’s jurisdiction if they are used in the food industry. These general purpose gloves are generally used as personal protection for janitorial and sanitation tasks, or for non-medical laboratory tasks.
In 2016, the FDA published a rule banning the use of powder on surgical and examination gloves. While powder acts as a lubricant and helps you don and doff gloves more easily, they are linked to avoidable health risks including severe airway inflammation and allergic reactions such as asthma. Latex and nitrile medical gloves are therefore now typically chlorinated or coated with polymers to aid with donning and doffing in these environments.
On the other hand, powdered general purpose gloves remain a practical choice outside of medical examination and surgical settings.
Finding the right sized glove maximizes comfort and dexterity, and also ensures your safety — if your gloves are too loose, they might slip off and increase the likelihood of microbial contamination. Gloves that are too small or tight contribute to hand fatigue and decreased dexterity.
A textured surface can improve grip in wet and dry conditions. Before you purchase, however, you’d need to confirm whether you’d do best with fully textured gloves, or ones that are only textured on the fingertips.
While color seems like a matter of preference, distinct colors can help you distinguish between different kinds of gloves. In a busy healthcare setting, this can save you precious seconds. In the food industry, brightly colored gloves help identify any fragments that might contaminate food after a rip or tear.
Chlorination and polymer coating are alternative finishes to powder, and help with donning and doffing medical grade gloves. Chlorination, for example, will make the glove have a satin-like finish while also reducing the latex allergen content. Industrial, or general purpose gloves may be powdered. This finish absorbs moisture and makes them easier to wear for long periods
When you’re choosing those new exam gloves for your practice, considering these key differences will help you find the right match. What you need is a glove that’s the correct size, fits properly and is designed for your needs.
VentyvⓇ leads the charge in personal protection. Our range of examination and general purpose gloves cover all your needs. Our new exam gloves come in latex and nitrile options:
From healthcare to food handling, cleaning and sanitation, and everything in between — we’ve got you covered. Let’s Outsmart InfectionⓇ together and change the world for the better.