Impact of converting to powder-free gloves. Decreasing the symptoms of latex exposure in operating room personnel

AAOHN J. 2005 Mar;53(3):111-6.

Abstract

This study examined health care worker satisfaction with the use of non-powdered natural rubber latex (NRL) surgical gloves to determine the impact of non-powdered NRL gloves on the NRL sensitization of operating room personnel. The study used a 1-year longitudinal design to obtain recall information from employees about their NRL exposure. Additionally, a survey was completed by participants related to their satisfaction with non-powdered NRL gloves. Informed consent was obtained from 103 employees. After conversion to an operating room using non-powdered NRL, there was a significant decrease in reported symptoms with NRL exposure (42% pre- and 29% post-conversion, Fisher's exact, two-tailed, p = .0001). This study demonstrated that the conversion to non-powdered low-protein NRL gloves resulted in decreased symptoms because of NRL exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Academic Medical Centers
  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Baltimore / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gloves, Surgical* / adverse effects
  • Gloves, Surgical* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / epidemiology
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / prevention & control*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
  • Occupational Health
  • Operating Rooms*
  • Personnel, Hospital / psychology*
  • Powders / adverse effects
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Powders