The Effectiveness of Sterile Medical Gloves
In past decades, surgical gloves were primarily used to protect patients from iatrogenic infection. More recently, the gloves have served to protect medical staff. As the human immunodeficiency and hepatitis viruses have become more prevalent, the need for an effective mechanical barrier between patients and health care workers has increased considerably. Unfortunately though, ordinary medical gloves do not adequately prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
It has been estimated that as many as 1.5 million people in the United States alone are already infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Moreover, in certain areas, the rate of HIV infection among emergency department patients may be as high as 8 percent. In fact, the rate among urban trauma victims may approach 16 percent. Considering that the complications of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are always fatal, such high prevalence rates have important implications for health care workers (Eustis, Wright, Wrenn, Fowlie, & Slovis, 1995, pp. 512-515).
There are three basic steps in the development of any infectious disease. These include the following: (1) contamination; (2) infection; and (3) pathologic effect (Miller & Palenik, 1991, pp. 682-684). Of course, exposure to an infectious agent does not always lead to disease. Three factors determine whether or not pathologic consequences will develop subsequent to infectious agent exposure. These include the following: (1) the virulence of the agent; (2) the dose received; and (3) host resistance (Miller & Palenik, 1991, pp. 682-684).
One way to preclude disease development involves preventing or reducing contamination. Protective mechanical barriers reduce health care workers' exposure risk ("Update", 1988, pp. 377-382). Barriers which may protect both the skin and mucous membranes include gloves, eyewear, masks, face shields, as well a...