ASC Spotlight - Q2 2019 - 17

GLOVES
With the advanced technologies used for today's surgical
procedures, these various protective devices no longer provide all
the protection required. We need more proactive medical devices
to suppress and kill germs, particularly during surgical procedures.
One method now being used in the fight against infections is
the use of medical devices exhibiting antimicrobial capabilities.
By definition, an antimicrobial agent is one that is capable of
destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.
Surgical Gloves
Antimicrobial surgical gloves could serve as a
second line of defense against disease causing
microbes. This type of technology would not be
a replacement for today's best practices such
as surgical scrubs, double gloving, skin preps,
prophylaxis antibiotics, etc., but would be an
added level of protection.
Due to innovation from manufacturers,
products are constantly being improved, not
only in healthcare, but in all industries, as new
technology is developed.
Additional protection should be expected
from other types of products, such as surgical
gloves. It is time for an upgrade. Antimicrobial
surgical gloves have the potential to reduce the
transmission of bacteria and viruses, reducing
SSIs and potentially saving lives.

Surgical Scrub
Antiseptics for surgical hand preparation must
eliminate the transient and significantly reduce
the resident flora at the beginning of an operation
and maintain the microbial release from the hands
below baseline until the end of the procedure.
Reducing resident skin flora on the hands of the
surgical team for the duration of a procedure
reduces (but does not eliminate) the risk of
bacteria being released into the surgical field if
gloves become punctured or torn during surgery.

Surgical Glove Breaches
Double gloving has been shown to be an
effective method to reduce (but not eliminate) the
surgeon's potential for contact with bodily fluids
and the patient's exposure to microorganisms
shed by the surgical team.

Summary
Antimicrobial coatings, when used in conjunction
with other sound practices, appear to have a
positive impact in controlling infection rates.
Today, a new breed of surgical gloves is being
equipped with antimicrobial technology. The
science of this antimicrobial technology is both
theoretically and practically sound and has the
potential to prevent microbial transmission due
to intraoperative glove breaches. In turn, this will
provide an additional level of protection to surgical
staff against viruses and bacteria and increase the
potential to prevent contamination of the surgical
site, decrease the risk of SSI, and increase patient
safety.
Increasing pressure to address surgical site
infection rates will play a crucial role in the growth
and adoption of antimicrobial surgical gloves.

Please see full article, which includes sources for claims and statistics, located here:
https://www.henryschein.com/us-en/images/medical/Antimicrobial_Surgical_Gloves_Clinical_Perspective.pdf

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ASC Spotlight - Q2 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASC Spotlight - Q2 2019