The healthcare industry uses gloves to prevent contamination and the spread of infection among patients and healthcare employees. They also provide comfort, extra protection against allergies, and sustain proper hygiene. Latex gloves are the most common type of gloves used in hospitals.
Latex gloves are a highly efficient infection control technique used by hospitals all over the world. Latex gloves are meant to protect all people exposed to high and low-risk circumstances in the hospital. While they effectively prevent the transmission of bacteria and germs, latex gloves are designed to complement rather than replace fundamental hygiene habits such as hand washing.
What are Latex Gloves?
Latex gloves are a popular type of gloves used by professionals in the healthcare industry. They are disposable, elastic, and manufactured with high-quality materials like latex. It is a natural material extracted from the rubber tree that makes it very elastic and durable. Humans first used latex gloves in the late 1800s, and as modernization comes, they’ve become more versatile, flexible, and thin. Also, they provide a high level of comfort to the user due to their fitness and convenience. The only downside of latex gloves is that some people are allergic to latex, making their skin irritated and itchy.
Do hospitals use medical-grade latex gloves?
Yes, hospitals use medical-grade latex gloves in their procedures. However, these gloves can be sterile and non-sterile. Sterile gloves provide maximum safety to both patient and user because they have a higher acceptable quality level. Sterile gloves are commonly used in surgeries and meet the standards of the FDA.
Non-sterile gloves are commonly used on medical examinations. Medical treatments that do not need the user to touch or contact blood or body fluids are suited for non-sterile latex gloves.
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Advantages of Latex Gloves
Indeed, latex gloves are in demand in today’s market. They are utilized in commercial and industrial applications because they are efficient, convenient, and cost-friendly. Here are other advantages of using latex gloves:
Since latex gloves are made from rubber tree extract, they are elastic and highly resistant to tearing. They offer excellent protection against the threat of being exposed to hazardous chemicals, pathogens, bacteria, and other infectious illnesses.
Compared to nitrile and vinyl gloves, latex gloves are more biodegradable. Thus, we wouldn’t have to worry about it being disposable. They are made from the sap of rubber trees, which makes them biodegrade easier. But, latex gloves take almost five years to decompose. Therefore, we should dispose of it properly to avoid another environmental hazard.
Most users say that latex gloves are the most comfortable gloves among other types available. It allows them to do a wide variety of tasks due to their flexibility and fit. You cannot feel that you are wearing any protective equipment when providing daily living aid to patients.
Because of their exceptional properties and characteristics, disposable latex gloves are incredibly convenient and may be utilized in a wide range of applications across a variety of sectors. Surgeons, dentists, tattoo artists, caregivers, and food caterers can work conveniently using latex gloves.
Best of all, latex gloves are cost-effective, making them very popular in different industries. There could be a slight difference between latex gloves and other types of gloves, but considering the durability, flexibility, and use, latex gloves are worth every penny.
Why do gloves come in different colors?
Industries use different colors of gloves to provide the distinction of areas in the laboratory or hospitals, preventing cross-contamination from happening. In the case of double gloves, different colors of gloves can help easy identification of glove tears. Double gloving, which involves wearing a darker glove under a light-colored glove, can aid in the detection of punctures and minor rips.
The standard colors of gloves used in hospitals are white; most latex gloves are initially manufactured white. Dyes are applied only to provide distinction and for the preference of the user. Doctors and nurses commonly use blue gloves during surgery, vaccination, and preparing medicine aids and vitamins for the elders. There are also purple gloves available in the market, and they are commonly used as exam gloves during chemotherapies because the color appears to be friendlier to patients. Pink exam gloves are used as support for breast cancer patients.
Difference between powdered and powder-free latex gloves
Latex gloves were maybe powdered or powder-free. Both of them are beneficial to a specific task. Thus, making them ideal for such situations. Powdered gloves have starch inside that makes your hand cool and dry. These gloves have a thin powder coating to increase comfort and prevent the hands from sticking together. Powder gloves provide you with additional skills since the powder makes it easier to hold items.
Powder-free latex gloves are most commonly used in the food industry and medical field. They will not leave any starch residue on your hands and tools since they are lubricated with a special agent that cools your hands. Another benefit of powder-free gloves is that the starch won’t stimulate open wounds and cuts or contact the skin, preventing allergies. The only drawback is that they are more susceptible to tear and rips than powdered ones.
How long before latex gloves lose their efficacy?
There is no specific time or number of hours that determines the efficacy of latex gloves. When you use latex gloves in food preparation, you can use them for about 12 to 24 hours, considering that you are working in a specific environment only. Factors like the place, the complexity of the task, and standards should be considered when using latex gloves. In case the gloves had a minor rip, it would be best to dispose of them immediately to avoid any threat to the standards for safety.
In the medical industry, you can use latex gloves after each patient. You can use one pair of latex gloves for more extended operations for about 4 to 6 hours under the same environment. Ensure that you are careful when handling sharp objects that could puncture the gloves and lose their effectiveness. Once done, we should practice proper disposal to meet maximum safety.
Final Thoughts
Gloves are one of the best protective equipment a healthcare provider can have for safety purposes. Hence, you can see them being used in hospitals most of the time. Gloves come in different types, sizes, and purposes, but it all comes to a common goal: to protect the user from infection. Find high-quality latex gloves at Avacare Medical. You can call us at 1-877-813-7799.
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