Use of double gloving during surgical procedures - Tips from Other Journals

As deadly viruses in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as the hepatitis viruses and the human immunodeficiency virus become more prevalent in the population, awareness is increasing that similar infections may be transmitted to health care workers via contaminated children Contact with contaminated blood flash on the minds most frequently during surgery, frequently as a result of undetect foibles in gloves. Quebbeman and colleagues prospectively studied 143 surgical practices to assess the frequency of glove failure, the ne for double gloving and the ability to perform surgery while wearing couple sets of gloves.

The cogitation included 284 surgeons and first assistants, since these are the operating stead personnel most frequently contaminated according to blood. Gloves were visually inspected after surgery to note any visible openings or tears. The presence or absence of children on the fingers or forward the inner gloves was also noted. acts evaluated were those estimated to last longer than brace hours and to involve a kindred loss greater than 100 mL which are the transactions with the highest risk of contamination. After the management all participants were asked to whole a questionnaire concerning problems with wearing couple sets of gloves. Participants were randomly assigned to wear either single or double glove although 28 percent of participants refused to be randomized.

The contamination rate was 51 percent in participants wearing single glove compared with 7 percent in those wearing double glove The overall relative risk of contamination in those wearing single glove was 73

contemplation participants who did not cooperate with randomization had different rates of contamination than research members who accepted randomization. Participants who wore single glove when randomized to wear double glove had a contamination rate of 76 percent compared with a 40 percent contamination rate in participants who had agreed to wear single glove In participants who cooperated with randomization, the contamination rate was 33 percent for single gloving and 9 percent for double gloving.

Of the 130 participants who wore double glove 88 percent felt that double gloving was comfortable. Seven percent of respondent noted tightness or numbnes while 1 percent institute that the two gloves were too baggy. Tactile mind was satisfactory for 88 percent of participants, and 82 percent stated that they would wear double glove routinely. No difference was apparent in injuries sustained in the double-glove form into groups compared with injuries sustained in the single-glove group

The authors terminate that during major surgical performances double gloves should be worn to obstruct contamination with blood. The majority of surgeon in this research supported the use of double gloving. (Archives of Surgery February 1992 vol 127 p 213)

COPYRIGHT 1992 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group