A global inventory of hospitals using powder-free gloves: a search for principled medical leadership

J Emerg Med. 2000 Feb;18(2):241-6. doi: 10.1016/s0736-4679(99)00202-4.

Abstract

Scientific experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that cornstarch on surgical and examination gloves promotes disease by acting as a reactive foreign body in tissue and serving as a vector for latex allergy. Consequently, hospitals have selected an innovative glove selection program utilizing only powder-free gloves. Healthcare workers in emergency medical systems are now wearing powder-free, latex-free gloves to care for the growing number of patients sensitized to latex. A global Internet search has now identified 70 hospitals in the United States and three hospitals in Europe that use only powder-free gloves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Data Collection
  • Emergency Medical Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / etiology*
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / prevention & control
  • Gloves, Surgical / adverse effects*
  • Gloves, Surgical / standards*
  • Gloves, Surgical / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospitals / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / prevention & control*
  • Leadership
  • Male
  • Powders / adverse effects*
  • Starch / adverse effects*
  • United States

Substances

  • Powders
  • Starch