Safety and hygiene are factors to be considered in health care settings, where examination gloves come in. The gloves would ideally be the protective barrier that a health care professional could use against the patient, minimising cross-contamination and potentially dangerous exposure to harmful substances. With so many options available, however, choosing the right type for an examination glove could be daunting. Examination gloves encompass the groups of exam gloves, vinyl gloves, and nitrile gloves. This blog also indicates how to choose the appropriate glove for your needs.
What are exam gloves?
The exam gloves are disposable gloves worn by the caregiver as well as by the patient for the performance of a medical examination in an effort to reduce the transmission of infection between the caregiver and the patient. These exam gloves are disposed of after a single use, ensuring that every patient is treated with new, clean gloves. They generally come in different sizes and materials, while different thicknesses provide varying levels of comfort, protection, and agility.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Exam Gloves
Selecting suitable examination gloves is all about comfort and proper protection for both the healthcare professional and the patient. The choice of gloves will be determined by a number of factors, such as the nature of the task, potential contact with hazardous substances, tactile sensitivity, and any latex allergies.
Let’s explore the three most common types of examination gloves—vinyl, nitrile, and latex—although we will focus strictly on the former two.
Vinyl Gloves: Economical and Versatile
Vinyl gloves are made of plastic-based synthetic material called polyvinyl chloride. Due to their affordability and the flexibility to use them in any condition, such gloves have been used widely in most settings. These gloves are commonly used where frequent changes of gloves and the incidence of infectious materials are low.
This paper highlights the advantages of vinyl gloves.
- Cost-Effective: Vinyl gloves are cheaper than other examination gloves, making them more cost-effective in tasks that require frequent glove changes.
- Latex-Free: The gloves are made from synthetic materials and do not contain latex, making them safe for people allergic to latex.
- Smooth Fit: Vinyl gloves are more loosely fitting compared to nitrile or latex gloves, which may be more comfortable when the tasks one is performing involve working for a short duration.
- Chemical Resistance: Although not as considerably resistant as nitrile, vinyl gloves do offer moderate protection against some chemicals and detergents.
Cons of Vinyl Gloves
Non-Durable: These are much less durable than gloves made from nitrile and latex. They also tend to damage quickly, especially in tasks under high stress.
These gloves have a lower tactile sensitivity because they are thicker and less flexible; thus, they are less appropriate for applications that require precision.
Best Applications for Vinyl Gloves
Applications that are low-risk, cost-effective, and not precision-sensitive are best suited for vinyl gloves.
- Routine physical examinations in non-hazardous environments.
- Food preparation and food handling.
- Light housekeeping tasks.
- Non-intact procedures where minimal freedom of glove hand is needed.
Nitrile Gloves: The Superior Protection
Nitrile gloves are made using a synthetic chemical compound called NBR: nitrile butadiene rubber. This has increasingly attained popularity because they are more challenging and offer superior resistance to punctures and chemicals, making them an improved substitute for the majority of healthcare workers.
Advantages of Nitrile Gloves
Puncture Resistance: Nitrile gloves are much more challenging and puncture-resistant than vinyl and latex gloves, making them perfect for high-risk settings.
- Chemical Resistance: These gloves provide a good shield against many different chemicals, solvents, oils, and acids and are well-suited for tasks with hazardous substances.
- Allergy-Free: Nitrile gloves, like vinyl gloves, are latex-free and, therefore, safe for people with latex allergies.
- Increased Tactile Sensitivity: Nitrile gloves have a good fit and offer an increased tactile sensitivity, which is essential when doing activities that involve precision and skill.
- Different Colours: Nitrile gloves come in various colours; this may be advantageous in the workplace in several situations to indicate possible changes in gloves or contamination.
Significant Uses of Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves are the best choice for risky tasks and require the highest protection, strength, and precision, such as:
- Medical examination and procedures involving exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
- Handling hazardous chemicals and substances.
- Laboratory work needs to be controlled, precise work and accuracy.
- Emergency response and first aid situations.
Comparing Vinyl Gloves vs. Nitrile Gloves
It is essential to select vinyl gloves vs. nitrile gloves based on the task and possibly the environment where the gloves are to be used. Let us compare the performance of these two types of gloves based on the following parameters:
Protection Level
- Vinyl Gloves: These are designed to protect at a minimal level and are typically suitable for low dangers. These are not suitable when dealing with chemical biohazards.
- Nitrile Gloves: These provide much protection to the user from any potential puncture, chemicals, or infectious materials. Typically, this glove is highly suitable in a high-risk setting.
Comfort and Fit
- Vinyl Gloves: They are loose-fitting and provide a comfortable fit. Some might feel meager wearing them for a shorter span, but they end up with less dexterity.
- Nitrile Gloves: They provide good talent and a close fit, so they are suitable for precision-required tasks.
Durability
- Vinyl Gloves: Least durable of all and with lesser strength and flexibility; they can be torn quite quickly, especially during tasks that require good movement in the hands.
- Nitrile Gloves: Good durability fitting for tasks that subject the user to risks of sharp objects or call for rough handling.
Practical Tips for Test Selection of Best Examination Gloves
The following practical tips are helpful in ensuring that you select the best gloves for the job :
- Assessing the Risk: Rate the level of risk associated with the tasks that will be done. High-risk tasks will require high durability and protection of gloves—tasks like being exposed to bloodborne pathogens or highly hazardous chemicals will require nitrile gloves.
- Consider Comfort and Fit: If you will be using any type of glove for an extended amount of time or have a requirement that you need to have it on constantly, comfort and fit should be at the top of your checklist. While nitrile gloves are tight-fitting and quite comfortable for longevity, then vinyl gloves are enough to use for shorter time applications.
- Check for Allergies: Ensure that the gloves you choose are free of latex for you or your patient, if any have latex allergies. Both vinyl and nitrile gloves can be great for avoiding allergic reactions.
- Consider Cost: It should not be the main determining factor, but cost considerations should be applied to ensure you select gloves within your budget. The least expensive gloves tend to be vinyl, appropriate for low-risk activities; nitrile is preferred if you want to spend more on gloves for high-risk activities.
- Review Regulations and Guidelines: Depending on the work that you will be doing, there are set regulations and guidelines on the type of gloves to use. Ensure you adhere to such regulatory measures at all times to ensure both your safety and the environment.
- Environmental Consideration: If you are really sustainability-minded, you could look for eco-friendly glove options. Some manufacturers have biodegradable gloves made from sustainable materials, although at an increased pocket pinch.
Conclusion
Safety and hygiene during healthcare really can go right if you know your gloves. At the fundamental level, the choice between vinyl, nitrile, and latex open gloves is based on protection, comfort, and cost. Doesn’t matter what industry you belong to; these gloves are best for all for all-around protection and safety.
