Gloves come in different sizes, make sure you choose the right size.
Gloves that are too small or too big can result in work delays and hand infections or injuries. If the gloves are too small, the hands will be uncomfortable, causing hand fatigue and affecting flexibility. Moreover, if the glove material was stretched beyond its capabilities, it could tear or rip easily when in use. If the gloves are too big, it is hard to hold objects and easier for germs to get inside your gloves.
To find out your glove size by measuring around your hand with a tape measure across your palm, and choose the right size according to the manufacturer’s glove chart.
When taking gloves off, don’t let the gloves touch your bare hands. Follow these steps:
Use your right hand grab the outer side of your left glove at the wrist.
Pull towards your fingertips, turn the glove inside out.
Grab the empty glove with your right hand.
Put one left-hand finger in your right glove.
Pull towards your fingertips until the glove is turned inside out and off your right hand. The left glove will be inside the right glove now.
Throw the gloves into an approved waste container.
Always use new gloves for each patient and wash your hands to avoid passing germs.
KINGFA MEDICAL will become the world’s largest nitrile glove supplier with a capacity of 40 billion a year. Headquartered in Qingyuan, China. With two overseas warehouses in the United States and Germany, it’s a global supplier of gloves for a variety of applications.
The development of the glove project is split into 6 different groups, with each group consisting of 2 production workshops with a warehouse in between. Paired with advanced domestic vulcanization & advanced engineering; along with KINGFA’s vertically integrated production chains; KINGFA is capable of producing premium qualitied nitrile gloves, leagues above its local competitors
The nitrile gloves, produced by Medical KINGFA, are primarily manufactured using imported NBR and are operated with domestic advanced vulcanization package dispersion system, autonomous batching system and excellent product quality control.
The production process includes the sanitization of hand molds, coagulant coating, NBR coating, leaching, high-temperature vulcanization, chlorine bath and post-production leaching, to ensure that the final product can reach the highest safety standards and excellent performance; such as low residue, order, high weather resistance and low precipitation.
The development of the glove project is split into 6 different groups, with each group consisting of 2 production workshops with a warehouse in between. Paired with advanced domestic vulcanization & advanced engineering; along with KINGFA’s vertically integrated production chains; KINGFA is capable of producing premium qualitied nitrile gloves, leagues above its local competitors
The nitrile gloves, produced by Medical KINGFA, are primarily manufactured using imported NBR and are operated with domestic advanced vulcanization package dispersion system, autonomous batching system and excellent product quality control.
The production process includes the sanitization of hand molds, coagulant coating, NBR coating, leaching, high-temperature vulcanization, chlorine bath and post-production leaching, to ensure that the final product can reach the highest safety standards and excellent performance; such as low residue, order, high weather resistance and low precipitation.
About Medical Gloves
Medical gloves are examples of personal protective equipment that are used to protect caregivers and patients from the spread of infection or illness during medical procedures and examinations.
Types of Medical Gloves
Medical gloves are disposable and include examination gloves, surgical gloves, and medical gloves for handling chemotherapy agents (chemotherapy gloves).
Use examination gloves when your hands may touch someone else’s body fluids (such as blood, respiratory secretions, vomit, urine or feces), certain hazardous drugs or some potentially contaminated items.
The primary purpose of surgical gloves is to act as a protective barrier to prevent the possible transmission of diseases between healthcare
professionals and patients during surgical procedures.
Due to the potential mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects of occupational exposure to chemotherapy drugs, its essential to use chemotherapy gloves to protect employees at risk are those who are involved in the manufacture, preparation, handling and administration of these drugs.
The FDA Guidances for Medical Gloves
Medical gloves are regulated by the FDA as Class I reserved medical devices that require a 510(k) premarket notification. FDA reviews these devices to ensure that performance criteria such as leak resistance, tear-resistance and biocompatibility are met.
US standards for medical gloves testing are as below:
ASTM D3577-19 Standard Specification for Rubber Surgical Gloves
ASTM D3578 Specification for Rubber Examination Gloves
ASTM D5250 Specification for Poly (vinyl chloride) Gloves for Medical Application
ASTM D6319 Specification for Nitrile Examination Gloves for Medical Application
ASTM D6977 Specification for Polychloroprene Examination Gloves for Medical Application
ASTM D7198-05 Standard Specification for Disposable Embalming Gloves for Single-Use Applications
ASTM D7103-19 Standard Guide for Assessment of Medical Gloves
ASTM D6978 – 05(2019) Standard Practice for Assessment of Resistance of Medical Gloves to Permeation by Chemotherapy Drugs
CE Marking and Medical Gloves
The CE mark indicates that a product may be legally offered for sale in any country within the European Union. The sale of gloves in the EU requires that the product is marked with the CE-label. Medical gloves must comply with the medical device directive (MDD93/42/EEC). Starting May 2020 this will be changed to regulation MDR (EU) 2017/745 instead of a directive. To show compliance the medical gloves are currently tested according to several harmonized standards:
EN 455-1 – Medical gloves for single use – Part 1: Requirements and testing for freedom from holes
EN 455-2 – Medical gloves for single use – Part 2: Requirements and testing for physical properties.
EN 455-3: Medical gloves for single use – Part 3: Requirements and testing for biological evaluation
EN 455-4: Medical gloves for single use – Part 4: Requirements and testing for shelf life determination.
So select appropriate gloves by checking the medical standards printed on the glove box.
Powdered vs. Non-Powdered Gloves
To facilitate donning of gloves, powders have been used as lubricants. You may come across powdered and non-powdered glove options. Powdered gloves feature cornstarch coatings, which make them easier to put on and prevents them from sticking together. According to FDA reports, the risks of powdered gloves in medical settings outweigh the benefits. The powder can cling to the wearer’s skin, causing irritation, inflammation or allergic reactions. It can also cause surgical complications involving peritoneal adhesions, which are a type of bond between a person’s organs. Though this can improve convenience, the FDA has banned powdered gloves for surgery and patient examination purposes. In most instances, a non-powdered glove is a preferable choice.
Sterile vs. Non-Sterile
Sterile medical gloves are acceptable for surgical purposes, so they must have the best possible AQL ratings. Sterile gloves must have a high-quality AQL level of 1.5 or lower. Examination gloves can have an AQL as high as 2.5, so sterile gloves can be considered even safer. Because their manufacture requires strict testing, and sterile gloves may have a higher price.
Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex, a product made from the rubber tree. If you have a latex allergy, your body mistakes latex for a harmful substance.
Latex allergy may cause itchy skin and hives or even anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause throat swelling and severe difficulty breathing. Your doctor can determine if you have a latex allergy or if you’re at risk of developing a latex allergy.
Growing incidences of latex allergy
According to the Department of Health, New York, Unites States, latex allergy reactions occur more frequently in high-risk professions due to increased exposure to latex products. In the health care profession, up to 12% of staff may be affected. Also, the increase in latex allergies is believed to be linked to the dramatic increase in latex glove use since the introduction of universal precautions in health care settings to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B. In addition, the use of latex gloves in other settings (e.g., foodservice and restaurants, daycare) has proliferated. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) stated in 2015 that latex allergy has become an important health concern for workers, especially in healthcare environments. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, such as swelling, irritation, congestion, shortness of breath, or even anaphylaxis, where fatalities have been reported. In the US, as many as 17% of healthcare workers are reportedly sensitized to latex.
According to an article by the Journal of Occupational Health published in the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health in 2016, 13.3% of the healthcare workers and 18% of nurses in Thailand have a latex allergy. Also, 22.4% of healthcare workers in Brazil and 14.1% of healthcare workers in the Netherlands reported having latex sensitization. Moreover, 16.3% and 17.9% of healthcare workers from Sri Lanka and Iran respectively reported being allergic to latex. Hence, the growing use of nitrile as a replacement for nitrile gloves is anticipated to propel the growth of the nitrile gloves market during the forecast period.
Latex Allergy Symptoms
For a person with a latex allergy, exposure to latex could result in a number of symptoms, some of them even life-threatening. The signs may include：
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Skin Rashes
• Itchy skin
How can I protect myself from latex allergy?
Take the following steps to protect yourself from latex exposure and allergy in the workplace:
1. Use non latex gloves for activities that are not likely to involve contact with infectious materials (food preparation, routine housekeeping, general maintenance, etc.).
2. Appropriate barrier protection is necessary when handling infectious materials. If you choose latex gloves, use powder-free gloves with reduced protein content.
-Such gloves reduce exposures to latex protein and thus reduce the risk of latex allergy.
-So-called hypoallergenic latex gloves do not reduce the risk of latex allergy. However, they may reduce reactions to chemical additives in the latex (allergic contact dermatitis).
3. Use appropriate work practices to reduce the chance of reactions to latex.
-When wearing latex gloves, do not use oil-based hand creams or lotions (which can cause glove deterioration).
-After removing latex gloves, wash hands with a mild soap and dry thoroughly.
-Practice good housekeeping: frequently clean areas and equipment contaminated with latex-containing dust.
4. Take advantage of all latex allergy education and training provided by your employer and become familiar with procedures for preventing latex allergy.
5. Learn to recognize the symptoms of latex allergy: skin rash; hives; flushing; itching; nasal, eye, or sinus symptoms; asthma; and (rarely) shock.
Powdered Gloves
The powder, which is often made out of cornstarch, makes it easier to don and remove the gloves. When powdered gloves are worn for a long period of time the powder can cling to user’s skin and cause sensitivities or allergies. Cornstarch powder may also contribute to latex allergies or sensitivity.
Powder-Free Gloves
Powder free gloves significantly reduce the transfer of latex protein particles to the skin and airways due to the chlorine washing process. Chlorination processing requires more extensive washing during manufacturing and consequently tends to produce a glove with appreciably fewer free latex proteins and other residual chemicals. This process significantly reduces allergic reactions.
Powder-free segment to grow at a significant pace.
Powder-free nitrile gloves are anti-static in behavior, smart solvent resistant, odour-free, and therefore helpful in the food and dairy farm business. Growing cases of allergies associated with powdered nitrile gloves and a rise in cases of powdered gloves causing wound inflammation, severe airway inflammation from inhaling the powder, and post-surgical adhesions from contact with the powder is leading users to switch to powder-free nitrile gloves. Powder-free gloves also account for lesser allergies as their manufacturing involves lower protein and chemical content, which also increases the time for which they can be continuously used. Additionally, taking into account the harmful effects of powdered gloves, in January 2017, the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a ban on powdered patient examination gloves, powdered surgical gloves, and also on powder for lubricating a surgeon’s gloves, thus expected to propel the powder-free segment’s market growth even further. SOURCE: http://www.medicalkingfa.com/solution-detail/id-252.html
The FDA issued a guidance document entitled Enforcement Policy for Gowns, Other Apparel, and Gloves During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency to provide a policy to help expand the availability of these items for health care professionals.
Nitrile is waterproof, greaseproof, oil proof and most importantly, chemical resistant to a range of common chemicals and substances. Nitrile gloves are also commonly used in the medical industry due to their high puncture resistance, and dexterous strength.
Nitrile gloves are a great option for safe food handling. Nitrile is almost totally allergy-safe and won’t contaminate food with potentially harmful allergens or chemicals. In the food service industry, the nitrile gloves can provide superior dexterity, as well as greater puncture resistance.
Nitrile gloves have excellent barrier characteristics, excellent barrier ability for acid-alkali and other organic chemicals, in addition, nitrile gloves also have a strong chemical degradation resistance, so that the basic structure of gloves is not damaged in various application environments.
Glove thickness is usually expressed in mils. Gloves of 3 mils or less are suited for jobs that do not require strong protection from chemicals or hazardous materials. Gloves in the 5- to 6-mil range are dependable for a variety of applications, from general duty to heavier automotive or industrial needs involving tools and machinery. Gloves 8 mils and above are rated for heavy-duty use.
Nitrile gloves are some of the most commonly used safety products in the healthcare industry due to their high puncture resistance, and dexterous strength. These gloves are worn to prevent cross-contamination between patients and medical staff. They are also used for general hand protection when handling various sensitive things.
Nitrile gloves provide various advantages such as being more resistant than natural rubber to chemicals, oils, and acids, and have superior strength. Moreover, the rise in the prevalence of latex allergies among healthcare workers has led to an increase in the demand for nitrile gloves.
Disposable gloves are an indispensable item in any healthcare or medical environment. However, what you might not have realized is that not all disposable gloves are the same. We’ll explore what makes nitrile gloves different from latex gloves.
What are the Advantages of Nitrile Gloves？
The nitrile gloves provide various advantages such as being more resistant than natural rubber to chemicals, oils, and acids, and have superior strength. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Health and Radiation Safety unit, nitrile is a synthetic rubber that serves as a very good material for general-purpose gloves because of its elasticity and chemical resistance. These properties also make disposable nitrile gloves the most common gloves for handling laboratory chemicals and surgical procedures. Moreover, the rise in the prevalence of latex allergies among healthcare workers has led to an increase in the demand for nitrile gloves, and hence the nitrile gloves are increasingly being used as a replacement for latex gloves around the world.
Nitrile gloves offer many advantages over latex gloves that include:
· Provide superior barrier protection against chemicals & petroleum-based products
· Superior puncture resistance
· High level of touch sensitivity
· Mimics the fit and feel of latex gloves
· Best for high-risk situations around infectious materials
· Latex-free, protein-free, and allergy-free
· Great fit molding to hand
· Long lasting durability and flexible
· Lightweight and breathable material, easy to use
· Available in powdered and powder-free
· Can be worn for longer periods of time
Comparative analysis-material properties
Latex
l Latex is a natural material, taken from the rubber tree sap, natural latex is a biosynthetic product, due to the different tree species, geology, climate and other related conditions, its composition and structure are often greatly different, the raw material stability is poor;
l Latex raw materials contain protein components, which are easy to cause allergic reactions in some people, especially in European and American groups.
Nitrile
l Nitrile is an artificial rubber, mainly synthesized by acrylonitrile and butadiene. Through the design of the synthesis process and reasonable process control, the stability of raw materials can be maintained at a high level;
l The main component contains no protein components and does not cause allergic reactions with high universality
Comparative analysis-properties of chemicals resistant
Nitrile gloves have excellent barrier characteristics, excellent barrier ability for acid-alkali and other organic chemicals, in addition, nitrile gloves also have a strong chemical degradation resistance, so that the basic structure of gloves is not damaged in various application environments. In this regard, nitrile gloves have a huge advantage over latex gloves.
http://www.medicalkingfa.com/solution-detail/id-205.html
Nitrile is waterproof, greaseproof, oil proof and most importantly, chemical resistant to a range of common chemicals and substances. Nitrile gloves can save the wearer’s hands from coming into direct contact with a range of hazardous and abrasive materials.
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is an international industry standard sampling process for evaluating the quality of a finished glove product. AQL measures quality by determining the highest number of defects accepted in a random selection of a glove product batch. The lower the AQL, the better the quality and less likelihood of defects. So AQL 1.5 means that there is a 1.5% chance of a defect in the batch of gloves
AQL means “Acceptable Quality Level” which is a certain number of failures in every lot of disposable gloves allowed by regulatory agencies. Low AQL numbers indicate fewer pinhole defects and higher levels of quality. Disposable gloves AQL rating from 1.5 to 4.0, from high quality to low quality.
For example: “AQL is 1.5%” means “I want no more than 1.5% defective items in the whole order quantity, on average over several production runs with that supplier”.
AQL 4.0 suitable for industrial applications, such as manufacturing, assembly, food processing, engineering, electronics, printing, and laboratory work.
AQL 1.5 is a minimum standard for medical applications.
AQL 0.65 is the fewest pinhole defects and highest quality level.
Nitrile gloves should be stored in the original packaging in a cool, dry and well ventilated area. Protect the gloves from dust, direct sunlight, moisture.
FDA regulate latex and nitrile gloves (examination and surgical) as medical devices. It requires FDA 510K Clearance, Medical device establishment registration and device listing to market in the USA. Powdered gloves are not allowed to market in the USA for medical purpose.