Selecting the Best Hand Protection for the Task.

When the correct level of persistence is applied toward identifying the hazard exposures, true cost savings will be seen every time.

Performance analysis of exam gloves used for aseptic rodent surgery.

Aseptic technique includes the use of sterile surgical gloves for survival surgeries in rodents to minimize the incidence of infections. Exam gloves are much less expensive than are surgical gloves and may represent a cost-effective, readily available option for use in rodent surgery. This study examined the effectiveness of surface disinfection of exam gloves with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a solution of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid (HP-PA) in reducing bacterial contamination. Performance levels for asepsis were met when gloves were negative for bacterial contamination after surface disinfection and sham 'exertion' activity. According to these criteria, 94% of HP-PA-disinfected gloves passed, compared with 47% of alcohol-disinfected gloves. In addition, the effect of autoclaving on the integrity of exam gloves was examined, given that autoclaving is another readily available option for aseptic preparation. Performance criteria for glove integrity after autoclaving consisted of: the ability to don the gloves followed by successful simulation of wound closure and completion of stretch tests without tearing or observable defects. Using this criteria, 98% of autoclaved nitrile exam gloves and 76% of autoclaved latex exam gloves met performance expectations compared with the performance of standard surgical gloves (88% nitrile, 100% latex). The results of this study support the use of HP-PA-disinfected latex and nitrile exam gloves or autoclaved nitrile exam gloves as viable cost-effective alternatives to sterile surgical gloves for rodent surgeries.

[The use of gloves as protector factor against scorpion stings during corn picking in the state of Guerrero, Mexico]. / El uso de guantes como factor protector contra picaduras de alacrán durante la pizca de maíz en el estado de Guerrero, México.

OBJECTIVE: Identify factors associated with scorpion stings among farm workers who pick corn in the Mexican state of Guerrero. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey in 14 randomly selected communities in the state of Guerrero.Simple frequencies were obtained and bivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with scorpion stings while picking corn. Odds ratio was estimated to evaluate the magnitude of the effect. RESULTS: The incidence of scorpion stings was 15% (500/3 294) in 2003. Use of gloves was associated with a dramatic reduction in risk of scorpion stings to the hands (OR = 0.11; IC95% 0.06-0.18). Scorpion stings are a frequent occupational health issue for farm workers. If the results of this survey were reproduced in an unbiased trial, the implication would be that gloves could prevent 133 stings per 1,000 farm workers who currently do not use gloves. The cost of medical attention, transportation and time away from work due to a scorpion sting totaled 505.90 pesos (46 US dollars). CONCLUSIONS: The use of gloves by farmers who live in regions where scorpions are endemic should be promoted. The supply network for anti-scorpion serum should also be extended to all rural areas where very toxic species are predominant and farmers should be educated about the importance of seeking timely medical care at health clinics.

El uso de guantes como factor protector contra picaduras de alacrán durante la pizca de maíz en el estado de Guerrero, México / The use of gloves as protector factor against scorpion stings during corn picking in the state of Guerrero, Mexico

OBJETIVO: Identificar factores asociados a la picadura de alacrán durante la recolección de maíz, entre campesinos del estado de Guerrero. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal hecho en 2004, sobre picaduras de alacrán durante el ciclo agrícola 2003, con encuesta a hogares en 14 comunidades del estado de Guerrero, seleccionadas de forma aleatoria. Se obtuvieron frecuencias simples y análisis bivariado para identificar los factores asociados a la picadura de alacrán durante la pizca de maíz. Se estimó razón de momios para valorar la magnitud del efecto. RESULTADOS: La incidencia de picadura de alacrán fue de 15 por ciento (500/3 294) en 2003. El empleo de guantes se acompañó de menor riesgo de picaduras de alacrán en la mano (RM = 0.11; IC 95 por ciento 0.06-0.18). Usar sólo un guante podría evitar 133 picaduras por cada 1 000 campesinos que ahora no los utilizan. Los costos implicados por la picadura de alacrán sumaron 505.90 pesos (46 dólares estadounidenses). CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario promover el uso de guantes entre campesinos que viven en zonas con alta endemicidad de alacranes. Asimismo, extender la red de suministro de suero antialacrán a toda el área rural donde predominan especies muy tóxicas y orientar a los campesinos sobre la importancia de buscar atención oportuna en las unidades de salud.

OBJECTIVE: Identify factors associated with scorpion stings among farm workers who pick corn in the Mexican state of Guerrero. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey in 14 randomly selected communities in the state of Guerrero.Simple frequencies were obtained and bivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with scorpion stings while picking corn. Odds ratio was estimated to evaluate the magnitude of the effect. RESULTS: The incidence of scorpion stings was 15 percent (500/3 294) in 2003. Use of gloves was associated with a dramatic reduction in risk of scorpion stings to the hands (OR = 0.11; IC95 percent 0.06-0.18). Scorpion stings are a frequent occupational health issue for farm workers. If the results of this survey were reproduced in an unbiased trial, the implication would be that gloves could prevent 133 stings per 1 000 farm workers who currently do not use gloves. The cost of medical attention, transportation and time away from work due to a scorpion sting totaled 505.90 pesos (46 US dollars). CONCLUSIONS: The use of gloves by farmers who live in regions where scorpions are endemic should be promoted. The supply network for anti-scorpion serum should also be extended to all rural areas where very toxic species are predominant and farmers should be educated about the importance of seeking timely medical care at health clinics.

Development and evaluation of a low-cost sensor glove for assessment of human finger movements in neurophysiological settings.

Sensor gloves for measurements of finger movements are a promising tool for objective assessments of kinematic parameters and new rehabilitation strategies. Here, a novel low-cost sensor glove equipped with resistive bend sensors is described and evaluated. Resistive bend sensors were modified in order to optimize measurement accuracy (quantified as the stability of sensor signal after a fast and constant bending) and to increase sensor linearity, reducing calibration time from several minutes to only approximately 10s. Reliability analysis of the sensor glove in five subjects showed an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.93+/-0.05, a mean standard deviation of 1.59 degrees and an overall error of 4.96 degrees , comparable to previously evaluated sensor gloves. User acceptance and applicability, assessed by a user feedback questionnaire, was high. Thus, with minor modifications, resistive bend sensors are suitable for accurate assessments of human finger movements. The low material costs (

A low cost instrumented glove for extended monitoring and functional hand assessment.

A wearable finger flexion monitor developed to measure hand function in individuals with hand dysfunction was evaluated for feasibility, measurement repeatability and reliability, fidelity of wireless transmission, and user acceptance. Configuration of the monitor allows use in situations when a traditional measurement glove cannot be worn. Five healthy individuals participated in the study of repeatability, while 10 healthy individuals and 10 individuals with acquired brain injury participated in trials to assess feasibility and user comfort. Repeatability results showed an overall error of 3.4 degrees , compared to 5.5 degrees and 5.7 degrees reported with other sensor gloves, and to manual measurements (5-8 degrees). Intraclass coefficient of reliability (using coefficient alpha) averaged 0.95. User feedback regarding comfort of the monitor was very high. Loss of data during wireless transmission was no greater than 1.2%. Results demonstrate that the monitor has a strong potential to be used as a tool for objective hand function evaluation in the home and community for both short- and long-term monitoring.

Comparison of routine glove use and contact-isolation precautions to prevent transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria in a long-term care facility.

OBJECTIVES: To compare routine glove use by healthcare workers for all residents, without use of contact-isolation precautions, with contact-isolation precautions for the care of residents who had vancomycin-resistant enterococci or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a clinical culture. DESIGN: Random allocation of two similar sections of the skilled-care unit to one of the infection-control strategies during an 18-month study period. SETTING: Skilled-care unit of a 667-bed acute- and long-term care facility. PARTICIPANTS: All residents present or admitted to the skilled-care unit from June 1, 1998, through December 7, 1999. MEASUREMENTS: Resident acquisition of four antimicrobial-resistant organisms (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli). All isolates were strain typed. The facility level costs associated with each strategy were estimated. RESULTS: Resident acquisition of antimicrobial-resistant organisms was no different in the glove-use and isolation-precautions sections (31 episodes (1.5 per 1,000 resident-days) vs 38 episodes (1.6 per 1,000 resident-days)). Acquisition of either of two prevalent K. pneumoniae strains was more likely (P=.06) in residents in the isolation-precautions section. The estimated costs of contact-isolation precautions were 40% greater than those of routine glove use. CONCLUSION: There was a similar frequency of transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the two study sections; there was evidence for resident-to-resident K. pneumoniae transmission in the isolation-precautions section. Routine glove use for healthcare workers, which decreases resident social isolation and healthcare facility costs, may be preferable in many long-term care facilities.

Rationalising examination glove use to improve patient care and reduce costs.

An exercise to standardise glove use across three hospitals uncovered incorrect use of gloves in clinical practice. It also found that a wide range of gloves were being used for different purposes and procured at different costs. This paper explores the reasons and looks at strategies to streamline practice and achieve trust-wide standardisation and cost savings

How health care organizations can establish and conduct a program for a latex-safe environment.

BACKGROUND: The advent of universal precautions brought about a dramatic increase in the use of natural rubber latex gloves, and reports of rubber latex allergies began appearing in the literature. In 1997 the Johns Hopkins Hospital created the interdisciplinary Latex Task Force to address the issue of creating, implementing, and evaluating a latex-safe environment. CONVERSION TO NONLATEX PRODUCTS AND EXAMINATION GLOVES: When suitable alternatives were available, all medical products that contained latex were to be removed from the hospital and nonlatex alternatives substituted. Latex medical gloves, especially powdered latex examination gloves, which were used in all patient care areas, were replaced by vinyl gloves. Yet because of the ongoing concern about strike-through and the minimal level of acceptance of fit with the vinyl gloves, the search for alternatives to the vinyl gloves continued. The task force recommended switching to nitrile examination gloves throughout the hospital. To facilitate the transition to another examination glove, new educational pamphlets about the nitrile gloves were developed. POSTSCRIPT: The switch to nitrile examination gloves was successfully completed, but conversion to nonlatex surgical gloves was less successful, with costs being the overwhelming impediment. Monitoring of latex-containing products and ongoing evaluations of alternatives are crucial in ensuring patient and health care worker safety.