Standard Glove Research Articles

Solution slot-die coating perovskite film crystalline growth observed by <i>in situ</i> GIWAXS/GISAXS

Solution method is an important means of fabricating optoelectronic devices. During the thin film sample preparation, organic or inorganic perovskite semiconductor material usually needs to be finished in a glove box. However, most of the traditional experimental characterizations under the air environment, it is hard to reflect the reality of the structure and performance between film and device, therefore it is urgently needed to solve the microstructure evolutions of these semiconductor films based on <i>in situ</i> real-time representation technique. In this work, we report a synchrotron-based grazing incidence wide and small-angle scattering (GIWAXS and GISAXS) <i>in situ</i> real-time observation technique combined with a mini glove box, thereby realizing the standard glove box environment (H<sub>2</sub>O, O<sub>2</sub> content all reached below 1×10<sup>–6</sup>) under remote control film spin coating or slot-die preparation and various sample post-processing. Meanwhile, this technique can real-time monitor the microstructure and morphology evolution of semiconductor film during fabrication. Based on the <i>in situ</i> device and GIWAXS, SnO<sub>2</sub> ETL interface induced perovskite growth crystallization process shows that CQDs additive can result in three-dimensional perovskite, with the random orientation growth changing into highly ordered vertical orientation, meanwhile can effectively restrain the low-dimensional perovskite domain formation, helping to reveal the film microstructure transformation of inner driving force and providing the perovskite device preparation process optimized with experimental and theoretical basis. The conversion efficiency of large-area fully flexible three-dimensional perovskite thin film solar cells prepared by the roll-to-roll total solution slit coating method is increased to 5.23% (the area of a single device is ~15 cm<sup>2</sup>). Therefore, using the <i>in situ</i> synchrotron-based glove box device, the microstructure evolution and the associated device preparation conditions of perovskite and organic semiconductor thin films can be controlled, and the thin film growth interface characteristics and film quality can be further controlled, which is the key technology to control the optimization process conditions of semiconductor thin films and devices.

The Status of Dysphagia Clinics During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The study aimed to determine the status of dysphagia clinics and procedures applied in dysphagia clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians working in an outpatient dysphagia clinic were included. A 30-question survey inquiring about the descriptive information of the participants and their clinics, their clinical practice, and the tele-health applications during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was administered via Google forms. The participants were asked to fill out the survey on behalf of their clinics. One survey was completed per dysphagia clinic. Twenty-three clinicians responded on behalf of their clinics. The number of patients and dysphagia evaluations decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.05). The COVID-19 screening procedures mostly performed before dysphagia evaluations were temperature check (n = 14, 60.9%), nasopharyngeal swab test (n = 9, 39.1%), anamnestic risk assessment (n = 6, 26.1%), and saturation test (n = 6, 26.1%). Protective equipments mostly used while dysphagia evaluations were surgical mask, FFP3 mask, standard gloves, glasses, and face shield. It was found that 69.6% (n = 16) of the dysphagia clinics were reported to be suitable for working under pandemic conditions, and 30.4% (n = 7) were reported to be unsuitable. The use of tele-health applications significantly increased from 13.0% (n = 3) to 52.2% (n = 12) (p = 0.003). The present study provides a general overview of the status of dysphagia clinics and procedures applied in dysphagia clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The study showed that working conditions, the number of patients, and the total number of evaluations have changed throughout the pandemic, and the use of tele-health applications increased.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00455-021-10386-1.

Self-Contamination While Doffing Personal Protective Equipment

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) effectiveness can be undermined by inappropriate doffing methods. Objective: We used human factors engineering methods to evaluate self-contamination during PPE doffing. Methods: In this study, 30 participants at a Midwestern academic hospital (A) donned and doffed 3 mask styles (n = 10), 2 gown styles (n = 10), and 2 glove styles (n = 10; the Doffy glove has a tab to facilitate doffing). Also, 30 additional participants at hospital A (residents or fellows, nurses, special isolation trained staff [SITS]) and 10 SITS at academic hospital B doffed a surgical mask, a breakaway neck gown, and exam gloves (PPE ensemble) twice: once while distracted with conversation and once when not distracted. We randomized the order in which participants used different PPE styles or they did the doffing scenario. We collected demographic data. We applied Glo Germ Mist (1.5 dilution in water) with a mucosal atomizer to participants’ PPE before they doffed. We video-recorded participants as they doffed, and we photographed their scrubs and exposed skin before and after each donning and doffing episode. We reviewed videos for doffing errors and photographs for fluorescent spots. We counted fluorescent spots and noted their locations. Results: Overall, 45 (64.3%) participants were women, 31 (44.3%) were nurses, 24 (34.3%) were physicians. Among the participants, 25 (35.7%) had &gt;15 years of experience and 61 (87.1%) had some training in doffing. Participants frequently contaminated their skin or clothing while doffing (Table 1). For all scenarios, hands followed by the torso were contaminated most frequently. Analysis of the videos found that touching the gown front with bare hands was the most common doffing error. Fewer participants self-contaminated when using the Doffy glove without training than when using the standard exam glove. Although most participants in the glove trial indicated that they did not need to watch the Doffy glove training video again, most had difficulty doffing the Doffy glove with the beak method. Many participants stopped doffing to answer questions when they doffed the PPE ensemble during the interruption scenario. Conclusions: Self-contamination was very common with all PPE styles and during all scenarios. Distraction did not increase the risk of contamination. However, participants often stopped doffing to answer questions, which they rarely do in practice. Watching a video was inadequate training for the beak glove-doffing method. The Doffy glove, which decreased contamination compared with the standard glove in the untrained scenario, may have advantages over standard exam gloves and should be evaluated further.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

Case Study: Fit Evaluation of Protective Gloves Made of Elastic and Non-Elastic Textile Materials

The main objective of the study was to evaluate two fit testing methods for protective gloves using anthropometric measurements. The gloves differed in terms of textile materials (woven fabric without elastomeric fibres and knitted fabric with elastomeric fibres), with and without size allowances, respectively. The evaluation method proposed may supplement the standard glove fitting procedure given in Standard EN 420:2003+A1:2009. The standard specifies only a method for measuring hand circumference and length, while the Authors used an original approach to measure the length and width for the purposes of glove fitting. The objective of the case study was to determine the optimum size difference between the protective glove and the user’s hand. The methodology developed shows how to evaluate gloves made of woven or knitted fabrics with or without elastomeric fibres in the context of glove fitting, which has direct implications for user comfort and the safety of manual work.

Iterative Design of Impact-Damping Gloves for Safer Boxing

Design methods were employed over a 5-year period to develop boxing gloves capable of substantially buffering impact forces delivered to an opponent, thereby permitting safer boxing. Multiple concepts were explored, with sophistication of prototypes gradually increasing. The protypes underwent both quantitative laboratory testing and qualitative evaluation in the field. The laboratory testing methods were evolved over time to enhance test reliability and ecological validity. Feedback from the laboratory and field trials was highly instrumental in guiding the process of glove development. It was eventually found that, compared to standard boxing gloves, pneumatic gloves with sealed bladders were effective in reducing peak impact forces and peak rates of force development when impact magnitudes were low to moderate but not when they were high. By contrast, pneumatic gloves incorporating a bladder enabling air exchange with the external environment were protective across the entire range of impact magnitudes likely to be encountered in boxing. These gloves are configured differently from standard gloves in terms of the positioning of the fist relative to the glove padding, but now have close visual resemblance to standard gloves. The aesthetics of the gloves have proven critical to their acceptance. Wearer comfort is also vital and, although we extensively pursued the concept of thumbless gloves, we finally deemed it necessary to include separate thumb compartments to accommodate user advice. There is scope for further glove refinement, but recent experience indicates that the latest version is currently sufficient for use in modified boxing programs that emphasise safety, with such targeted contextual sufficiency realising a fundamental aim commonly associated with projects employing the design approach. Small batches of the gloves have recently been manufactured to cater for modified boxing programs.

Modified gloves: A chance for the prevention of nosocomial infections

Non-sterile gloves primarily serve as a barrier protection for health care workers (HCWs). However, pathogens may often contaminate the skin of HCWs during glove removal; therefore, pathogens may be further transmitted and cause nosocomial infections. A field study was conducted comparing contamination rates when using standard gloves or a new modified product equipped with an additional flap (doffing aid) for easier removal. Gloves were removed after bathing gloved hands in an artificial fluorescent lotion. The number of contamination spots was then visually examined using ultraviolet light. There were 317 individuals who participated in this study: 146 participants (104 nurses and 42 physicians) used standard gloves, whereas 171 participants (118 nurses and 53 physicians) used the modified product. Use of the modified gloves instead of the standard product (15.8% vs 73.3%, respectively; P < .001) and being a physician rather than a nurse (29.5% vs 47.7%, respectively; P = .003) were the only independent risk factors for reduction of contamination. This study shows that the modified product could, at least in vitro, significantly reduce the rate of hand and wrist contamination during removal compared with standard gloves. By this, it may significantly improve the overall quality of patient care when used on the wards directly at the patient's site.

Influence of orthopedic reinforced gloves versus double standard gloves on contamination events during small animal orthopedic surgery

To determine the influence of orthopedic reinforced gloves on contamination events during small animal orthopedic surgery. Prospective randomized controlled trial SAMPLE POPULATION: Two hundred and thirty-seven pairs of orthopedic gloves (474 gloves) and 203 pairs of double standard gloves (812 gloves) worn during 193 orthopedic procedures. Primary and assistant surgeons were randomized to wear either orthopedic reinforced gloves or double gloves. Gloves were leak tested to identify perforations at the end of procedures. Perforations detected intraoperatively or postoperatively were recorded. A contamination event was defined as at least one perforation on either hand for orthopedic reinforced gloves, or a perforation of both the inner and outer glove on the same hand for double gloves. Baseline characteristics between the 2 intervention groups were similar. There was no difference in contamination events between the double-gloved and orthopedic gloved groups (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.49-1.87, P = .89). The same percentage of contamination events (8% glove pairs used) occurred in the double gloved group (17 contamination events) and in the orthopedic gloved group (19 contamination events). The odds of a contamination event increased by 1.02 (95% CI 1.01-1.03, P < .001) with each additional minute of surgery. Orthopedic reinforced gloves and double standard gloving were equally effective at preventing contamination events in small animal orthopedic procedures. Surgeons reluctant to double glove due to perceptions of decreased dexterity and discomfort may safely opt for wearing orthopedic gloves, which may improve their compliance.

A Study of the Possibility of Using Shungite in Latex Rubber Formulations for the Manufacture of Gloves with High Resistance to Aggressive Media

A study was made of the possibility of producing composites based on natural ‘Kvaliteks’ latex that are filled (20–30 parts) with shungite (‘Karelit’). The possibility of producing such composites had been shown earlier for the natural latex ‘Revultex’ containing a vulcanising group. Therefore, all the composites investigated in the present work contained a vulcanising group (sulphur, ethyl zimate, zinc oxide), and vulcanisation was carried out at a temperature of 125°C. Into the latex was introduced an aqueous dispersion of ‘Karelit’ with dispersing agent NF. The filler content was the same as in the formulation for gloves resistant to aggressive media. The mechanical properties of films of these composites were on a par with or even slightly superior to those for the standard composites, while the acid and alkali resistances were far higher. Acid- and alkali-resistant gloves manufactured from ‘Kvaliteks’ latex filled with ‘Karelit’ shungite satisfy the specifications fully and are considerably superior to standard gloves in terms of resistance to aggressive media in long-term tests.

Colored Indicator Undergloves Increase the Detection of Glove Perforations by Surgeons During Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

ObjectiveTo determine whether use of colored indicator gloves affects perforation detection rate and to identify risk factors for glove perforation during veterinary orthopedic surgery.Study DesignProspective randomized controlled trial.Sample Population574 double pairs of gloves worn during 300 orthopedic surgical procedures (2,296 gloves).MethodsPrimary and assistant surgeons double‐gloved for all orthopedic surgical procedures. Type of inner glove (standard or colored indicator) was randomized for the first 360 double pairs of gloves worn by surgeons during 180 procedures. Perforations detected by surgeons were recorded and gloves changed if requested. For a further 120 procedures, indicator gloves were used exclusively. All gloves were leak‐tested after surgery to identify perforations. Association between potential risk factors and perforation was explored using multivariate logistical regression analysis.ResultsGlove perforations occurred during 43% of surgeries with a mean of 2.3 holes/surgery. Inner gloves were intact in 63% of glove pairs where an outer perforation occurred. Intraoperative perforation detection was improved when colored indicator gloves were worn (83% sensitivity) vs. standard gloves (34% sensitivity; P<.001). Independent risk factors for perforation were placement of plates and/or screws (P=.001; OR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.4–4.0), placement of an external skeletal fixator (P=.002; OR=7.0; 95% CI, 2.1–23.8), use of orthopedic wire (P=.011; OR=2.4; 95% CI, 1.2–4.7), and primary surgeon being board‐certified (P=.016; OR=1.9; 95% CI, 1.1–3.1).ConclusionIncreased surgeon recognition of glove perforations through use of colored indicator gloves enables prompt change of gloves if perforation occurs and may reduce potential contamination of the surgical site.

Gloves, extra gloves or special types of gloves for preventing percutaneous exposure injuries in healthcare personnel.

Healthcare workers are at risk of acquiring viral diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV through exposure to contaminated blood and body fluids at work. Most often infection occurs when a healthcare worker inadvertently punctures the skin of their hand with a sharp implement that has been used in the treatment of an infected patient, thus bringing the patient's blood into contact with their own. Such occurrences are commonly known as percutaneous exposure incidents. To determine the benefits and harms of extra gloves for preventing percutaneous exposure incidents among healthcare workers versus no intervention or alternative interventions. We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, NHSEED, Science Citation Index Expanded, CINAHL, NIOSHTIC, CISDOC, PsycINFO and LILACS until 26 June 2013. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with healthcare workers as the majority of participants, extra gloves or special types of gloves as the intervention, and exposure to blood or bodily fluids as the outcome. Two authors independently assessed study eligibility and risk of bias, and extracted data. We performed meta-analyses for seven different comparisons. We found 34 RCTs that included 6890 person-operations as participating units and reported on 46 intervention-control group comparisons. We grouped interventions as follows: increased layers of standard gloves, gloves manufactured with special protective materials or thicker gloves, and gloves with puncture indicator systems. Indicator gloves show a coloured spot when they are perforated. Participants were surgeons in all studies and they used at least one pair of standard gloves as the control intervention. Twenty-seven studies also included other surgical staff (e.g. nurses). All but one study used perforations in gloves as an indication of exposure. The median control group rate was 18.5 perforations per 100 person-operations. Seven studies reported blood stains on the skin and two studies reported self reported needlestick injuries. Six studies reported dexterity as visual analogue scale scores for the comparison double versus single gloves, 13 studies reported outer glove perforations. We judged the included studies to have a moderate to high risk of bias.We found moderate-quality evidence that double gloves compared to single gloves reduce the risk of glove perforation (rate ratio (RR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23 to 0.37) and the risk of blood stains on the skin (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.70). Two studies with a high risk of bias also reported the effect of double compared to single gloves on needlestick injuries (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.62).We found low-quality evidence in one small study that the use of three gloves compared to two gloves reduces the risk of perforation further (RR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.52). There was similar low-quality evidence that the use of one fabric glove over one normal glove reduces perforations compared to two normal gloves (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.93). There was moderate-quality evidence that this effect was similar for the use of one special material glove between two normal material gloves. Thicker gloves did not perform better than thinner gloves.There was moderate to low-quality evidence in two studies that an indicator system does not reduce the total number of perforations during an operation even though it reduces the number of perforations per glove used.There was moderate-quality evidence that double gloves have a similar number of outer glove perforations as single gloves, indicating that there is no loss of dexterity with double gloves (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.31). There is moderate-quality evidence that double gloving compared to single gloving during surgery reduces perforations and blood stains on the skin, indicating a decrease in percutaneous exposure incidents. There is low-quality evidence that triple gloving and the use of special gloves can further reduce the risk of glove perforations compared to double gloving with normal material gloves. The preventive effect of double gloves on percutaneous exposure incidents in surgery does not need further research. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of special material gloves and triple gloves, and of gloves in other occupational groups.

Superparamagnetism of Cu2Se Nanoparticles

Cu2Se nanoparticles were synthesized using the standard Schlenk line and glove box techniques, with the hot-injection method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the initial nanoparticles were formed in a stoichiometric Cu2Se phase with a cubic structure. When the nanoparticles are exposed to air, the diffraction peaks shift to higher angles. This suggests that the nanoparticles are changed to a nonstoichiometric Cu2-deltaSe phase with copper vacancies. The mean size of the nanoparticles was about 7 nm. The magnetic results show that the initial nanoparticles were diamagnetic, and after 1-week air exposure, they became paramagnetic. This dramatic change from diamagnetic to paramagnetic can be explained by the oxidation of Cu+ into Cu2+ at the nanoparticle surface. In addition, the superparamagnetic properties were observed to have a blocking temperature of 150 K. The coercive field decreased as the temperature approached the blocking temperature, and eventually vanished above the blocking temperature.

Comparison of five approaches to keeping power line maintainers’ hands warm during work in the cold

Electric utility workers in Canada must frequently work in the cold and must wear thick rubber gloves which can result in rapid fatigue and reduced performance. The purpose of the study was therefore to document the challenge of working in the cold wearing the standard five-finger rubber gloves and covers and compare them to two equipment options, mitten style gloves or a prototype wool liner, and two heating options, glove or torso heating. The dependent measures were grip force, temperature, dexterity (modified Purdue pegboard test and a simulated occupational task), finger sensitivity (Von Frey hair test), perceived effort and thermal sensation. The study population consisted of 10 experienced male utility workers. They worked in a controlled temperature walk-in chamber (-20 degrees Celsius) and performed simulated utility work for 45 minutes with interspersed test batteries. The mitten style glove and woolen liner in a standard glove reduced the effects of working in the cold compared to the standard five-fingered variety with a thin cotton liner. We found that the mitten style glove showed lesser drops in skin temperature for the 3rd and 5th digits than the other conditions (p < 0.05).

Step-wise integration of single-port laparoscopic surgery into routine colorectal surgical practice by use of a surgical glove port

The cost associated with single-port laparoscopic access devices may limit utilisation of single-port laparoscopic surgery by colorectal surgeons. This paper describes a simple and cheap access modality that has facilitated the widespread adoption of single-port technology in our practice both as a stand-alone procedure and as a useful adjunct to traditional multiport techniques. A surgical glove port is constructed by applying a standard glove onto the rim of the wound protector/retractor used during laparoscopic resectional colorectal surgery. To illustrate its usefulness, we present our total experience to date and highlight a selection of patients presenting for a range of elective colorectal surgery procedures. The surgical glove port allowed successful completion of 25 single-port laparoscopic procedures (including laparoscopic adhesiolysis, ileo-rectal anastomosis, right hemicolectomy, total colectomy and low anterior resection) and has been used as an adjunct in over 80 additional multiport procedures (including refashioning of a colorectal anastomosis made after specimen extraction during a standard multiport laparoscopic anterior resection). This simple, efficient device can allow use of single-port laparoscopy in a broader spectrum of patients either in isolation or in combination with multiport surgery than may be otherwise possible for economic reasons. By separating issues of cost from utility, the usefulness of the technical advance inherent within single-port laparoscopy for colorectal surgery can be better appreciated. We endorse the creative innovation inherent in this approach as surgical practice continues to evolve for ever greater patient benefit.

Design and adaptation of a novel supercritical extraction facility for operation in a glove box for recovery of radioactive elements

The design and development of a novel supercritical extraction experimental facility adapted for safe operation in a glove box for the recovery of radioactive elements from waste is described. The apparatus incorporates a high pressure extraction vessel, reciprocating pumps for delivering supercritical fluid and reagent, a back pressure regulator, and a collection chamber. All these components of the system have been specially designed for glove box adaptation and made modular to facilitate their replacement. Confinement of these materials must be ensured in a glove box to protect the operator and prevent contamination to the work area. Since handling of radioactive materials under high pressure (30 MPa) and temperature (up to 333 K) is involved in this process, the apparatus needs elaborate safety features in the design of the equipment, as well as modification of a standard glove box to accommodate the system. As a special safety feature to contain accidental leakage of carbon dioxide from the extraction vessel, a safety vessel has been specially designed and placed inside the glove box. The extraction vessel was enclosed in the safety vessel. The safety vessel was also incorporated with pressure sensing and controlling device.

One cubic metre NIST traceable radon test chamber

With the availability of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Radon Emanation Standard with a content of approximately 5000 Bq of 226Ra, it is possible to build a flow through a practical radon test chamber. A standard glove box with four gloves and a transfer port is used. Air is pumped through a flow integrator, water jar for humidification and NIST source holder, and into the glove box through a manifold. A derived theoretical expression provides the calculated radon concentration inside the chamber. The calculation includes a derived decay correction due to the large volume and low flow rate of the system. Several calibrated continuous radon monitors and passive integrating electret ion chambers tested in the chamber agreed fairly well with the calculated radon concentrations. The chamber is suitable for handling the calibration of several detectors at the same time.

Surface modification of natural rubber film by UV‐induced graft copolymerization with methyl methacrylate

AbstractMethyl methacrylate (MMA) was directly grafted on natural rubber (NR) or sulfur prevulcanized (SP) NR surface. The rubber sheet was primarily treated with argon plasma, followed by exposure to air for generating active functional groups. After immersing in a mixture of 30% hydrogen peroxide and MMA in ethanol and water (1 : 1), the MMA grafting took place after UV‐irradiation for 30–120 min. Results from the contact angle measurement and attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy showed that the highest amount of MMA grafting was achieved when using 13 wt % of MMA and UV irradiation time of 60 min. The tensile strength and percentage elongation at break of the modified SPNR sheet, having similar MMA grafting to that of NR, were in acceptable range as indicated in the standard glove's test (ASTM D3577). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2270–2276, 2007

Surface modification of sulphur prevulcanized natural rubber latex sheet via layer-by-layer assembled PMMA particles

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles were deposited onto the sulphur prevulcanized natural rubber (SPNR) latex film by using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique in order to increase the roughness and, hence, decrease the friction on the rubber surface. Prior adsorption of PMMA particles, the SPNR sheet was pretreated with argon plasma followed by UV-induced graft copolymerization of polyacrylamide (PAAm). The percent coverage of PMMA particles on the surface of substrate (Cs), determined under scanning electron microscope (SEM), was directly proportional to the latex concentration and immersion time. Apply the contraction–extension forces (at 300% strain) from 0 to 7 cycles on the modified SPNR sheet, SEM micrographs showed the slight decrease of Cs from 23 to 19%. The bulk properties, i.e., tensile strength and elongation at break, of the modified SPNR sheet not only insignificantly changed but also were in the range indicated in the standard glove's test (ASTM D 3577).

A randomized, controlled, double‐blind study of the effect of wearing coated pH 5.5 latex gloves compared with standard powder‐free latex gloves on skin pH, transepidermal water loss and skin irritation

Hand dermatitis is a common occupational disease. Altered skin pH plays an important role in the development of skin irritation. A glove that maintains tight control over skin pH may reduce hand dermatitis in glove users. The purpose of the study was to characterize the effect of glove wearing on skin pH, investigate the impact of study glove on skin pH compared with standard gloves and determine whether wearing study gloves reduced irritation. 20 healthy volunteers enrolled in a 4-week double-blind comparison of study and control gloves and served as their own controls. Gloves were worn 8 hr per day for 5 days per week. Skin pH and transepidermal water loss were measured during and 2 days after the glove-wearing period. The subject and an observer assessed the skin for irritation. The study glove maintained lower skin pH than the control glove (P < 0.05) and trended towards having less irritation. Observers noted increases in dryness and scale in both hands after 4 weeks but significantly less dryness in the study hand at week 4 (P = 0.006). Glove wearing increased skin pH and dryness. The pH 5.5 glove maintained lower skin pH levels than the control glove and may reduce irritation in long-term glove wearers.

Skin protection and percutaneous absorption of chemical hazards.

Hazardous substances that penetrate the skin barrier may induce dermal irritation, inflammation or sensitisation, as well as systemically toxic effects. Air threshold limits are insufficient to prevent adverse health effects in the case of contact with substances with a high dermal absorption potential. Biological monitoring is a useful tool to quantify internal exposure of an individual and allows an assessment to be made of the dermal absorption pathway. Additionally, the efficacy of protective equipment can be proved. Standard gloves are ineffective to decrease dermal uptake. Various skin-care products include emulgators, which are used as penetration enhancers in transdermal therapeutic drugs. Hence, specific skin-care products potentially enhance dermal absorption of certain chemicals. On the other hand, the best protection from dermal absorption is the physiological skin barrier-the stratum corneum. Skin-care products that accelerate regeneration of the stratum corneum are obliged to have positive effects to prevent dermal absorption. With regard to the increasing number of occupational skin diseases and the large quantity of skin-care products that are used at workplaces it is essential that the mechanism of protection and efficacy be assessed. In the future, we require evidence-based prevention or evidence-based medicine that includes evidence-based prevention.

How often does glove perforation occur in surgery? comparison between single gloves and a double-gloving system

Background: In surgery, intact gloves protect the surgeon from bloodborne pathogens and the surgical wound from microorganisms on the skin of the surgeon. However, glove perforation is very common, and puncture rates as high as 61% are published in the literature. One objective of this study was to compare puncture rates between a unique double-gloving puncture indication system and single-use gloves, and another was to determine the extent to which glove perforations remain undetected during surgery. Methods: The study material comprised all gloves used in surgical operations at our hospital for a period of 2 months. The analysis was made by the glove type in a prospective and randomized manner. Gloves were tested immediately after the surgical procedure using the approved standardized water-leak method for 2 minutes to detect any holes. The gloves used in this study were either a double-gloving puncture indication system or the standard glove used at our hospital. Results: In 885 operations altogether, 2,462 gloves were tested; 1,020 single gloves, 1,148 double-glove systems, and 294 combination gloves were studied. The overall perforation rate was 192 out of 2,462 gloves (7.80%), and 162 out of 885 operations (18.3%). The detection of perforation during surgery was 28 out of 76 (36.84%) with single gloves, 77 out of 89 with the double-gloving system (86.52%), and 9 out of 27 with combination gloves (33.33%; P <0.001). The inner glove of the double-gloving system was punctured in 6 out of 88 outer glove perforations (6.82%). Conclusions: In view of the critical importance of safety at work by having a sterile barrier between surgeon and patient, it is very important to use a double-gloving puncture indication system, at least in operations where there is a high risk of glove perforation.