Gloves: What's the Best FIT?

This article was featured in our Aged Care quarterly publication, Spotlight. Check out the whole thing online here: Spotlight on Health & Ageing

Choosing the best gloves for your environment isn’t as simple as it used to be. There is more choice and technology than ever before. Let us guide you through the options and encourage you to make assessing your choice of glove one of your 2020 resolutions!

In a study into the use of gloves in the healthcare industry by Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control1, it was found that 42% of glove use was defined as inappropriate.

The prevalence of multi-strain resistant positive individuals in aged care in Australia is estimated to be as high as 49.6%. This is one of the many health reasons why choosing the right gloves is incredibly important, not only for you & your staff, but also your residents.

Health and hygiene aside, and looking at your glove choice from an economical perspective, If you are experiencing the need to ‘double glove’, or when a single glove is pulled from its container, multiple are unintentionally being pulled out and exposed to contamination, it might be time to consider doing the maths on your glove use.

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

There are three major classifications of gloves on the market today. Latex, vinyl and nitrile. While all looking very similar, there are so vast differences that set these options apart from each other.

LATEX gloves have been the trusted, go-to glove choice in the healthcare space. They’re made from rubber, derived from a processed plant product. Their popularity can be attributed to their high level of dexterity and tactile sensitivity that comes as a result of how thin they are. However, this thinness makes them the most susceptible to punctures and chemicals, and latex allergies have become extremely prevalent, rendering them unsuitable for both healthcare professionals and patients who suffer from latex allergies.

VINYL gloves are made of synthetic materials, combating the allergy barrier that latex gloves suffer from. They are also very affordable, making them popular in industries where a high glove turnover is experienced. However, vinyl gloves also suffering from some of the weaknesses as latex gloves, being somewhat susceptible to punctures and chemicals, while also offering less sensitivity and a looser fit. Range of qualities available*

NITRILE gloves can offer similar appearance to latex gloves as a result of their malleable and stretchy feel, however Nitrile gloves are synthetic. You may have heard of Nitrile gloves be referred to as medical-grade, due to their superior protection from punctures and chemicals. Nitrile gloves mold to the shape of your hand and offer a higher level of dexterity than vinyl gloves. It is important to recognize the economical benefits of a more durable and long-lasting glove choice.

MAKING A CHOICE

It is important to consider which metrics are most important to you and your environment when choosing the best glove. Here are our top five considerations:

Protection: Healthcare Professional & Resident Safety, Comfort and Hygiene
Fit & Comfort: Is your glove choice making it more difficult to perform your duties?
Durability & Longevity: Are your current gloves too fragile for your application? If yes, this is a dangerous and expensive choice.
Allergens: Could your staff or residents be allergic to the gloves you are using?
Economy: Are you paying too much for your gloves? And not just on your bottom line, but are you going through gloves more quickly than you could be with a product that is more suitable for your application.

A STEP FURTHER?

Gloves that love you back: Coats.
Does your skin feel its best after wearing gloves? Constant hand washing and glove use, as well as skin conditions like dermatitis or eczema can leave your hands dry, cracked and irritated. Not only can this become uncomfortable, it can affect your daily work-life.
Feel the difference with COATS
Thanks to its unique colloidal oatmeal coating, COATS gloves place a natural moisturising barrier between your skin and the glove. The colloidal oatmeal absorbs sweat to help prevent any potential irritation caused by contact and hydration dermatitis. Moreover, this moisturising barrier helps your skin retain water, leading to better skin integrity.
Colloidal oatmeal has also been recognised for its therapeutic benefits to soothe and relieve dry, itchy, and irritated skin. In fact, the USFDA has recognised colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant, largely in thanks to its active ingredients:

Oat Beta Glucan which moisturises skin and aids in wound healing
Oat Peptides containing collagen and elastin promoters for pH buffering
Avenanthramides which provide anti-irritant and redness reduction
Avenacins which have anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory properties
Antioxidants including Flavonoids and Phenolics

Talk to your Personal Account Manager about investigating the best glove for you!

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Gloves: What's the Best FIT?

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

MAKING A CHOICE

A STEP FURTHER?

Products to compare: