The durability of examination gloves used on intensive care units.

Background: The use of examination gloves is part of the standard precautions to prevent medical staff from transmission of infectious agents between patients. Gloves also protect the staff from infectious agents originating from patients. Adequate protection, however, depends on intact gloves.

Bacterial migration through punctured surgical gloves under real surgical conditions.

Background: The aim of this study was to confirm recent results from a previous study focussing on the development of a method to measure the bacterial translocation through puncture holes in surgical gloves under real surgical conditions.

Methods: An established method was applied to detect bacterial migration from the operating site through the punctured glove. Biogel double-gloving surgical gloves were used during visceral surgeries over a 6-month period.

Incidence of microperforation for surgical gloves depends on duration of wear.

Background: The use of sterile gloves is part of general aseptic procedure, which aims to prevent surgical team members from transmitting infectious agents to patients during procedures performed in an operating room. In addition, surgical gloves also protect team members against patient-transmitted infectious agents. Adequate protection, however, requires that the glove material remain intact.