Results: Four hundred and ninety-three consecutive patients presenting for minor skin excisions were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups: non-sterile clean boxed gloves (n = 250) or sterile gloves (n = 243). Four hundred and seventy-eight patients contributed data for analysis (241 non-sterile, 237 sterile gloves). The incidence of infection in the nonsterile gloves group (8.7%; 95% ...

More than 20% of U.S. paramedics are exposed to blood each year. Little is known about the circumstances that lead to these exposures. The objective of this study was to describe blood exposure events among U.S. paramedics. A mail survey was conducted in 2002-2003 among a nationally representative sample of licensed paramedics. Eighty percent of needle/lancet sticks involved non-safety devices....

Primary prevention is the mainstay of management of occupational dermatoses. Despite the high rates of dermatoses found in a study of 686 female workers in a canning factory in March 1990, use of protective gloves was extremely low, even though there was evidence that they prevented acute paronychia and intertrigo. Reasons associated with low glove use were unavailability, discomfort and worker...

We performed a prospective, randomised study comparing the rates of glove perforation using double latex gloving with or without a disposable protective glove liner (Paraderm) on 118 patients undergoing primary or revision arthroplasty of the hip or knee by one surgeon (FRH). The patients were randomly allocated into two groups: in group 1 an inner and outer pair of latex gloves were worn as do...

Nanoparticle manufacture and use are in full expansion. The associated risks of occupational exposure raise large concerns due to their potential toxicity. Even if they stand as a last resort in the traditional occupational Health & Safety (H&S) risk management strategy, personal protective equipment (PPE) against nanoparticles are an absolute need in the context of precautionary principle advo...

BACKGROUND Little is known about the extent of human isocyanate skin exposure in auto body shops and the effectiveness of personal protective equipment. Animal studies have suggested that skin exposure to isocyanates may be an important risk factor for respiratory sensitization leading to asthma. This study provides initial data on hexamethylene diisocyanate skin exposure in three auto body sho...

BACKGROUND Allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber gloves is not infrequent, and has almost exclusively been attributed to contact sensitization to accelerators. Thiurams have been the most frequent allergens, followed by dithiocarbamates. OBJECTIVES To describe the current allergen pattern in patients with occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by rubber gloves. METHODS This ...

The purpose of this prospective investigation was to compare two methods for sheathing of the endovaginal ultrasound-probe. The study was conducted over a 7-month period in 1991-1992. In the first half of the investigation, latex examination gloves were used to sheath the endovaginal probe; during the second half of the investigation, latex condoms were used. Following the ultrasound examinatio...

The cleaning, washing, drying, and powdering of surgical rubber gloves is a disagreeable task requiring a good deal of manipulation, and consequently a relatively large expenditure of man hours. It is necessary, too, when gloves are used in laboratories working with pathogens that a preliminary decontamination be given to prevent the gloves from becoming a source of infection. Graham (1957) des...