Unseen dangers lurk all around healthcare practitioners and patients. As a result, safety precautions aimed at reducing these risks allow medical personnel to use protective gloves as part of their everyday routines. Medical gloves are undeniably effective in protecting against harmful chemicals and microbes. This medical gloves buyers guide will help you choose the the right gloves for your providers.
Surgical gloves made from various polymers have unique properties for these critical applications. As a result, deciding which type of medical glove to use in your healthcare setting, such as dental clinics or physician offices, should be an important part of the risk mitigation process.
The medical field uses many types of disposable gloves: medical gloves, exam gloves, nitrile gloves and surgical gloves. When in close contact with a patient, healthcare staff and nurses typically wear exam gloves to protect themselves from infection. Surgeons and operating room nurses use more sophisticated surgical gloves to allow for greater precision, sensitivity and sizing.
Both exam and surgical gloves must be specialized to protect from illness and bodily fluids. They should also be soft to the touch so that the professional or patient is not bothered unnecessarily. For assistance on identifying the most appropriate glove type for your healthcare application, check out our Glove Buyers Guide.
Finding the right disposable glove for your needs can be a daunting challenge with so many different varieties to pick from. Whether you needgloves for surgical procedures, patient examinations, or general use, this guide will help you determine your requirements by providing comprehensive definitions and a helpful decision tree
DOWNLOAD The Ultimate Buyers Guide for Medical Exam Gloves
Best Materials for Medical Gloves
Latex, vinyl, and nitrile are three of the most common materials used to make exam gloves. For several years, latex gloves have become the norm in medical offices, and different brands and models have different features. Some latex gloves, for example, contain powder while others do not, and some are thicker and longer than others.
In high-risk cases involving infectious material, latex gloves are used. They are pliable, durable, and biodegradable. Latex is a comfortable, versatile, and well-fitting barrier that provides mid-range barrier protection. Some practitioners and patients, however, are allergic or sensitive to latex.
Vinyl is a low-cost, soft, convenient, and non-latex alternative made from polyvinyl chloride. For low-risk tasks and handling non-hazardous materials, these gloves can suffice. Providers use vinyl gloves for tasks that need less tactile input. They are typically less durable than latex gloves.
Nitrile is a great general-purpose material. Providers use it for exams, especially on latex-allergic patients. It’s a tough, tear-resistant material that is ideal for handling sharp objects and instruments. In addition, providers can wear nitrile gloves for longer periods, and they have a long shelf life. In the end, they have high barrier protection and can withstand chemicals and punctures in a way that latex and vinyl cannot.
Latex vs. Nitrile
Disposable medical gloves come in a variety of styles with varying degrees of safety, comfort, and durability. Latex and nitrile gloves are the most commonly used gloves in the medical industry, but there are major differences between the two.
Latex Medical Gloves
Manufacturers make this kind of disposable glove from a material that comes from the bark of mature rubber trees. Most industries have adopted latex gloves that fit user’s hands precisely and provide great sensitivity because of this material. Latex offers the highest level of protection against pathogens. Nonetheless, chemicals have weaker protection against it than other types of gloves.
Accommodating Latex Allergies
One common misunderstanding about latex allergies is that it is a hereditary condition. While this can be true, Medical professionals, on the other hand, are at a very high risk of developing this allergy over time as a result of their regular use of latex gloves.
Redness and inflammation of the skin are two typical symptoms of this form of allergy. In rare cases, respiratory disorders and shock occur. Before conducting some sort of medical test, it’s also crucial to ask patients whether they have a latex allergy and if so, to use a non-latex alternative.
Learn more in Latex Allergies: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention.
Nitrile Medical Gloves
Phlebotomists often struggle to find a glove thin enough to allow for pre-venipuncture vein finding, but thick enough to be strong and tear-resistant. Nitrile material combines the best of both worlds! Nitrile is more resistant to oils and acids than natural rubber. It’s also worth noting, some report this material is more tear-resistant than natural rubber materials. Plus, the use of nitrile allows for exam gloves to be ultra-thin – making blood draws more efficient for phlebotomists. Caresfield nitrile exam gloves are all powder-free, odor-free, and nonlatex, reducing the possibility of allergic reactions among patients and employees.
Nitrile gloves offer much greater resistance to punctures and chemicals, as well as protection from viruses. Most providers prefer disposable nitrile gloves over latex gloves. Latex-reducing and durable are factors, with the bonus of long shelf life.
Which medical gloves should I choose?
It is difficult to find the “best” glove to fit each person. We’ve outlined all the options this medical gloves buyers guide. You’ll need to determine the needs for your specific users, procedures and requirements. High-quality patient treatment has never been better or more convenient than when the right gloves are nearby and ready to use. But first-time buyers should carefully consider the frequency of use and/allergy susceptibility.
The choice between latex, vinyl, and nitrile gloves is largely based on the level of safety required. In the medical industry, each material has advantages and disadvantages, so having a variety in your medical supply closet is a good idea. On any given day, you never know who your next patient will be or what procedure you’ll perform.
At Caresfield, we provide gloves in all three materials to protect your providers. Additionally, if you purchase in bulk you save your medical office money and protect against supply chain disruptions. Caresfield even offers a highly flexible Exam Glove Priority Supply Program to healthcare organizations in the United States. This program provides the confidence in a recurring glove supply at a fixed price, but unlike similar programs offered by larger distributors, you have the option to cancel at any time.
Shop Caresfield Medical Gloves
