Abstract |
Surgical glove integrity is essential for universal precautions; glove safety is verified by the water load test (WLT). Concerns regarding glove injury have prompted newer testing methodologies, including electrical conductance testing (ECT); however, the sensitivities of these tests are not known. We compared the sensitivity of WLT and ECT in detecting glove needle-stick injury in two commonly used brands of surgical gloves. Punctures were made with hollow-bore and solid surgical needles of various configurations. The WLT failed to detect glove holes from the smallest-caliber needles and only detected the injury in 60 per cent for the largest caliber. The ECT provided a graded index of glove injury in all holes made by both solid surgical needles and hollow-bore needles. The WLT is a poor test for clinical defects in latex surgical gloves; the ECT is significantly more sensitive and provides a gauge of the cross-sectional area of the defect. Interbrand differences in self-sealing properties of surgical gloves were evidenced and may be clinically relevant after glove perforation.
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Authors | R L Sohn, M T Murray, A Franko, P K Hwang, S A Dulchavsky, M J Grimm |
Journal | The American surgeon
(Am Surg)
Vol. 66
Issue 3
Pg. 302-6
(Mar 2000)
ISSN: 0003-1348 [Print] United States |
PMID | 10759204
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Electric Conductivity
- Gloves, Surgical
(standards)
- Humans
- Methods
- Needlestick Injuries
(prevention & control)
- Safety
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