For years, latex has been the go-to material for surgical gloves, providing comfort and flexibility. However, with the ever-present concern of latex-associated allergic reactions and year-on-year material cost increases, latex has a number of drawbacks. In this post, we are going to look at some of the issues with latex, some of the alternative materials, and what Medline offers in terms of alternatives to latex gloves.
The challenges with latex
Ten per cent of healthcare workers suffer with a latex allergy, compared to just 4.3 per cent of the general population1, and the risk of developing a latex sensitivity increases with repeated and prolonged exposure.
In addition, almost 78 per cent of skin issues in the healthcare environment go unreported2, suggesting the issue is even greater than what the figures show. In fact, many clinical staff and patients may suffer from a latex allergy without realising they are at risk, either due to an existing allergy, or a recently developed one caused by continued use.
What are the alternatives to latex?
Removing latex is a straightforward way to ensure the risk is completely removed, and this need has prompted the introduction of several latex-free alternatives.
Initially, synthetic materials such as Neoprene were introduced as an alternative , with the aim of removing the allergy risk and improving safety within the theatre environment. However, this first-generation synthetic material lacked the comfort and elasticity associated with latex, leading to a sub-par glove experience.
A more recent material that has been developed is polyisoprene (PI), which more closely mimics the comfort, strength and elasticity associated with latex gloves.
Introducing SensiCare®: Medline’s portfolio of synthetic, latex-free gloves
The SensiCare range was created using PI, as it more closely mimics the comfort, strength and elasticity associated with latex gloves, with further improvements in chemical and chemotherapy drug permeation resistance. This unique formulation of PI is designed to have a molecular structure that is virtually identical to latex, providing the same level of exceptional performance and comfort that you would expect from a latex glove.
Now, whether it’s a standard, microsurgical or speciality glove that you need, Medline offers a diverse range of SensiCare options to suit every clinical task and speciality.
Features for comfort and ease of donning
The SensiCare range also includes under-gloves coated with aloe vera to keep hands moisturised during long procedures, and a proprietary polymer coating — E-Z Glide — to allow effortless glove donning..
This surfactant polymer coating allows users to effortlessly don our surgical gloves over wet or damp hands, improving usability and efficiency. The triple layer technology of our E-Z Glide polymer coating includes an initial dip into the raw material, followed by a polymer dip containing water repellent properties which uniformly coats the interior of the glove to prevent delamination. Finally, a coating of our proprietary surfactant is added to increase the ease of donning.
To further prevent cuff roll-down a five-centimetre (two-inch) area at the end of the cuff remains uncoated, giving it a tackier texture which allows for better adherence to the surgical gown.
Aled Jones
Product Manager, Medline Industries Ltd.
Aled has an MSc in Exercise Physiology and over nine years experience working as a Product Manager within the healthcare industry. He is responsible for managing Medline’s surgical and examination gloves, O.R. and PPE portfolios for the UK and Ireland.
Over his three years at Medline, Aled has led the successful development of SensiCare®, DermAssure™ and Signature ranges of surgical gloves. At local level he works closely with theatre teams and procurement along with Medline teams to ensure trials are run efficiently and without disruption to customers’ day-to-day activities.
References
1. Wu, M., McIntosh, J., & Liu, J. (2016). Current prevalence rate of latex allergy: Why it remains a problem? Journal of Occupational Health, 138-144.
2. Royal College of Nursing. https://www.rcn.org.uk/professional-development/publications/rcn-survey-exploring-skin-health-issues-covid-19-pub-009244