Working in the medical industry poses risks to workers, which is why it is imperative to use the right protective clothing such as medical gloves and facemasks.
These products are designed to protect those who work in the medical profession as well as their patients from the transfer of diseases and bacteria that can be found in this environment. In particular the use of protective gloves is a must do practice as this is a common situation where harmful bacteria and diseases can be transferred.
Choosing vinyl gloves for medical use
There are a wide range of materials which can be used to make protective gloves, which type of glove you choose is dependent on the practices being carried out, therefore not all gloves will be suitable for all uses. Vinyl Gloves for example offer a range of protection to medical professions who experience contact with blood or other bodily fluids that have the potential to transfer disease or infection. However, the use of vinyl gloves may not be suitable for all areas of the medical profession.
The correct use of vinyl gloves
If you’re conducting medical examinations or using protective gloves in non-surgical situations then vinyl gloves are robust enough to provide the right protection against contamination. However, it is important to regularly change gloves and dispose of them correctly from patient to patient to reduce the risk of contamination. Vinyl gloves should also be changed if you are conducting different types of procedures that may also risk mixing different elements. For example, in laboratory work samples must remain unpolluted from external elements or contaminants or be mixed with other samples, so vinyl gloves play a vital role here.
It is also important that vinyl gloves should never be washed or re-used in any situation, but especially in the medical industry, as this can weaken their protection levels and also cause cross contamination as they may no longer be sterile.
You should always make sure vinyl gloves for use in the medical industry are high quality and come from a reputable supplier, and that they meet the recommended requirements for carrying out specific medical duties. For instance, vinyl gloves may not offer the best protection if you are using high levels of alcohol based solutions in medical treatments, as the material can be susceptible to breakdown of the membrane and weaken the protection provided, putting wearers at higher risk to contamination.
Other areas of the medical industry where vinyl gloves may also not be appropriate to use, is in treatment for chemotherapy and the use of gluteraldehyde, where chemicals and treatments used may penetrate the protective membrane of the gloves.
Checking the gloves before use
For any wearer of medical gloves it is also essential to check the gloves for punctures or rips before you put them on. Of course, manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure no damage to the glove membrane occurs during production, packaging and transportation, however, there are incidents where this can occur. By conducting quality control and checks before use, wearers will be better ensuring their own levels of protection during examination or treatment, as well as that of the patients too.
Finally, wearers should ensure vinyl gloves are comfortable and fit properly. Suppliers of vinyl gloves will offer a range of sizes to give the wearers better comfort and ability whilst using them. If a pair of gloves is too tight, it can stretch the membrane unnecessarily and weaken the strength of the glove making it more susceptible to tears and rips. On the other hand, if a glove is too big, it can mean the wearer has reduced dexterity to carry out tasks safely and efficiently too.
By considering these factors when using vinyl gloves you should maximise the level of protection they provide and make sure the correct protocol is maintained.
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