Sterile gloves, also known as nitrile gloves, are used when performing surgical procedures. These gloves are made from synthetic rubber that has many advantages over natural latex. For example, nitrile gloves have a much higher level of strength and resistance to chemicals and other irritants than other forms of medical gloves. They also have high levels of water resistance, which makes them an excellent choice for performing surgical procedures.
Due to the more stringent federal standards, sterile gloves are usually more costly than non-sterile ones. Studies show that although there is no direct link between using gloves in surgical procedures and increased risks of infections, surgical gloves provide an added level of protection for healthcare workers. Therefore, many healthcare workers choose to use non-sterile gloves during nonsurgical procedures. Many studies also point out that using disposable surgical gloves after surgery can help reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has established specific guidelines for the production of sterile gloves. However, these guidelines are not legally enforceable. All states are allowed to have their policies for the production and packaging of ailments. In general, the packaging and materials used for sterile gloves will indicate whether the gloves have been approved for use during surgical procedures or not. Conditions that the FDA has cleared explicitly for use during surgical procedures should be free of any disease-causing bacteria. Any materials that do not adhere to these guidelines should be disposed of or replaced with materials that have been specifically cleared for use during surgical procedures.
Wearing a proper pair of gloves on the hand, working with the blood, tissue, and fluids involved in a particular procedure is essential for preventing contamination. Healthcare workers should remember not to touch the surface with their naked gloved hands when handling these materials. This is because blood and other such materials are often too thin for the human hand to safely and properly handle. Additionally, healthcare workers should wash their hands thoroughly afterward to remove any contamination from the surfaces they touched during the procedure.
Sterile gloves are often used during medical procedures involving radiation. As a general rule, healthcare workers must use specially designed gloves when handling gamma rays and x-rays. The reason behind this requirement is to prevent accidental exposure to harmful radiation particles during the process of medical treatment. Although the risk of contamination is great, particularly in hospitals that do not have specific policies to ensure the protection of healthcare staff from radiation, it is largely prevented with the use of nonobligatory (non-standard) gloves made from ethylene oxide.