#TechnologyforLiving | RUTH RUÍZ | FENIN | Madrid |09 JUNE 2020
- Gloves for protection against microorganisms, sanitary gloves and dual gloves are the three basic types of gloves for dealing with the coronavirus that are explained in a new infographic.
- The placement and removal of these products must follow prevention rules to ensure their correct use and avoid risks of contagion.
- It is advisable to use a specific type of glove depending on the task to be carried out.
- This new infographic gives continuity to the #TecnologyforLiving campaign, which aims to improve knowledge about Health Technology among society.
Gloves are an essential health protection element, also in times like the current COVID-19 pandemic, to protect health professionals and all personnel who care for patients affected by this disease. In view of the interest generated among society by the healthcare material involved in the fight against the coronavirus, and in view of the need for citizens to have reliable information, Fenin has prepared a new infographic on the different types of healthcare gloves that exist and their characteristics, within the framework of the #TechnologyforLiving campaign, whose objective is to offer rigorous information on Healthcare Technology in an informative manner.
As shown by the infographic, the purpose of the micro-organism protective gloves is to protect the health professional from hand contact with patients, biological fluids derived from them or instruments contaminated with biological agents that may pose a risk to their health. These gloves are considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), so they must comply with the legislative provisions of these products
On the other hand, medical gloves, which are regulated by the Medical Devices (MD) regulations, have the specific medical objective of preventing the appearance of a disease in the patient by transmission of biological agents through contact of the hands of the health professional. A distinction is made between examination gloves, which may or may not be sterile, and surgical gloves, which are sterile.
For certain situations, it may be necessary to add the characteristics of both types of gloves, which is the purpose of dual-use gloves, designed to protect both the healthcare professional and the patient simultaneously. These must comply with the regulations for PPE and medical devices.
In addition to surgical use, sterile gloves are used for aseptic nursing techniques or cures. The non-sterile ones are used for tasks such as blood extractions, removal of peripheral lines, sample handling, cleaning of material or handling of secretions, fluids or urine; also for other practices without sterility protocol and that require protection.
Gloves should be changed when they are broken, contaminated, or between patients. The frequency of change depends on the task, procedure, amount of blood and body fluid, and possible contact with cutting material.
INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL
As indicated in the infographic, the gloves, like the rest of the PPE products, must comply with a series of indications in their placement and removal1. These procedures must not alter the specific protective functions of each piece of equipment used and, in this respect, the manufacturer’s instructions must be observed.
After use, they must be properly removed because they may be contaminated and become a new source of infection. Therefore, they should only be removed from the exposure area and to prevent them from being a source of contamination, one should avoid, for example, leaving them on surfaces in the environment once they have been removed.
After removal, the gloves should be placed in the appropriate disposal containers and treated as class III bio-sanitary waste. They must also be stored properly, following the manufacturer’s instructions, to avoid deterioration or contamination.
A MATERIAL FOR EVERY USE
The characteristics that determine which jobs are most suitable are sensitivity to touch, the likelihood of causing allergies and the resistance of the glove. Depending on the use that will be made of it, one material or another is recommended:
- Latex products provide an effective barrier to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious agents. They offer good resistance to breakage and accidental punctures and can be dusty or dust-free.
- Polyisoprene, which is a substitute for latex, is indicated for all types of surgical techniques. They provide high protection against microorganisms and fluids and against certain chemicals and cytostatics. This material also produces fewer allergies or irritations.
- Nitrile gloves offer extensive resistance to chemicals and biological agents, as well as to accidental tears and punctures, and are also suitable for people suffering from allergies.
- The vinyl ones are not sterile and are intended for short term tasks, with minimal or no risk of exposure to blood and other fluids. They are more permeable and less resistant than latex and nitrile, and are less adaptable to the hand than latex gloves.
1 Procedimiento de actuación para los servicios de prevención de riesgos laborales frente a la exposición al SARS-COV-2 Ministerio de Sanidad
The #TechnologyforLiving is part of tha action plan that Fenin has been carrying out since the beginning of the crisis to accelerate the manufacture, import and distribution of health products, in order to respond to the needs of our health system (+info).
The Spanish Federation of Healthcare Technology Companies represents more than 500 manufacturing and distribution companies in Spain, which constitute more than 80% of the total turnover. The national market is part, together with Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy, of the five countries that represent 75% of the European market. Likewise, the Health Technology sector has been identified as a strategic agent in the health field and as one of the priority markets within the State Innovation Strategy.
Founded in 1977, the Federation works for the research and technological development, which allows to put within reach of all technologies, products and services that improve the prevention, the diagnosis, the treatment and the control and follow-up of the diseases.
