6 Things to Consider when Buying Surgical Gloves

Surgical gloves are vital in medical operations, with different surgical gloves available, making it difficult to know which ones to buy. This guide will provide you with all the information to decide which surgical gloves are suitable for you.

What are Surgical Gloves?

Surgical gloves are gloves that surgeons wear during surgical procedures. They help prevent infection and protect the surgeon from exposure to pathogens from blood and other body fluids.

Surgical gloves are made from various materials and come in various sizes and thicknesses to accommodate different hand sizes.

Where are Surgical Gloves Used?

Surgical gloves are most commonly used in operating rooms, but they can also be worn in other medical settings, such as labor and delivery units, dental offices, and clinics.  Surgical gloves are used in medical procedures, including surgeries, blood tests, and vaccinations.

Why are Surgical Gloves Used?

Surgical gloves help prevent infection and protect the hands and fingers from damage. In addition, surgical gloves provide a barrier between the patient and the surgeon, which helps to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Surgical gloves also safeguard the user from harm caused by hazardous chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

What are The Types of Surgical Gloves?

There are many surgical gloves available today, each designed to meet the specific needs of surgeons and other medical professionals.

The three major types are:

Latex Surgical gloves

Natural rubber latex has been the choice material for surgical gloves. Latex offers a high level of comfort, performance, and flexibility.

It's not surprising that latex gloves are widely used. It helps that these gloves provide high sensitivity, are easy to put on, and provide excellent grip. They typically endure lengthy and complicated operations and provide an excellent barrier against germs and pollutants.

Furthermore, latex surgical gloves are biodegradable since they are made of natural rubber fiber.

The major downside to latex gloves is that they often trigger latex allergies. The popularity of latex surgical gloves has decreased as more people are affected by latex allergies.

Many organizations, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, now urge non-latex surgical gloves to prevent patients from having allergic reactions to latex.

Nitrile Surgical Gloves

Nitrile gloves are synthetic rubber fabrics that offer latex-free options. They're more resilient than latex or vinyl, and they have greater resistance to needle sticks and abrasion.

Nitrile gloves are frequently used as a suitable substitute for latex-allergic individuals. These gloves provide better chemical barrier protection and can mold to the surgeon's hand for a snug fit.

Nitrile surgical gloves are available in blue and black surgical gloves, which can be advantageous to surgical teams who prefer to double-glove. Besides, colored gloves help identify if a glove has been torn or punctured.

The disadvantages of nitrile surgical gloves are that when exposed to acetone, the material dissolves; they have somewhat decreased tactile sensitivity than latex gloves and are more expensive than vinyl.

Vinyl Surgical gloves

Vinyl gloves are manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Vinyl gloves' primary benefit is latex-free, so they don't cause skin reactions or allergies. They are also less expensive.

However, vinyl gloves should only be used for medical examinations as they are not long-lasting and more prone to punctures and tears than latex and nitrile gloves.

They also offer the lowest level of both chemical and puncture resistance overall.

They're also less elastic than either disposable nitrile or latex, thus hampering comfort, flexibility, and overall fit when choosing vinyl gloves.

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing The Right Surgical Gloves?

There are several factors to consider before purchasing surgical gloves. These are:

1. Material

There are three main types of surgical gloves material: latex, nitrile, and PVC.

Each type of material has its advantages and disadvantages. Latex gloves are the most common type of glove used in surgery. They're made from natural rubber and provide a good fit and excellent tactile sensitivity. However, latex gloves can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber and are an excellent alternative for people with latex allergies. They offer good resistance to punctures and chemicals but can be more expensive than latex gloves.

PVC gloves are made from a synthetic polymer called polyvinyl chloride. They're the least expensive type of surgical glove but don't provide excellent protection or a good fit as latex or nitrile gloves.

2. Sterile or Non-Sterile

Sterile gloves are an essential part of personal protective equipment (PPE) that prevents the spread of pathogenic organisms and protects people from harmful illnesses.

They are made under stringent conditions, assuring that they meet the most rigorous criteria to minimize the risk of infection transmission in healthcare settings.

Sterile gloves are subjected to several tests and inspections throughout the manufacturing process before reaching the end-user.

In the United States, sterile gloves must meet two regulatory agency standards: the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

The FDA finally determines whether a sterile glove is truly sterile by assessing its sterility assurance level (SAL). The SAL test measures the degree to which a device or product has been proven sterile and free of pathogens.

Sterile gloves are used during surgical procedures where the risk of infection transmission is high.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing sterile gloves when surgeons perform invasive patient procedures. An example is any diagnostic or surgical treatment on broken skin, body orifices, bodily fluids, or internal organs.

Non-sterile gloves are a viable alternative to sterile gloves when there is little risk of contact with infectious bodily fluids or unclean materials.

They're also used during regular checkups, which means they're frequently utilized in nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, dialysis centers, and testing or diagnostic clinics.

Non-sterile gloves may also be worn for low-contact activities with little risk of pathogen exposure, such as assisting bedridden persons with their hygiene or cleaning non-sharp medical equipment and devices.

The choice to go for sterile or non-sterile gloves should ultimately be decided by the risk of infection in the activity they are to be used for.

3. Powdered or Non-Powdered Gloves

Surgeons traditionally used powdered disposable gloves because they contained cornstarch, making them easier to slip over hands.

While the convenience of powdered surgical gloves was certainly one appeal, the powder itself may cause problems if it comes into touch with exposed tissue during surgery or incision. Contact with the powder caused infection in some individuals and hampered the healing process.

This led the FDA to ban powdered gloves in the dental and medical industry as they risk spreading infections.

Surgical operations now necessitate gloves to be powder-free due to these difficulties and the FDA's prohibition on powdered surgical gloves.

Today's powder-free gloves have the same feel as those containing powder, and manufacturers employ specific procedures to guarantee it.

4. Gloves Thickness

While most people think that thin gloves offer better dexterity, certain drawbacks are associated with them. The most notable being the reduced protection they provide against sharp objects or instruments.

Conversely, thicker gloves may not provide the same level of tactile sensation but will protect your hands better from cuts and other injuries.

Thickness can be measured in different ways. In America, the unit used is called mils (A “mil” is a unit of thickness equal to one-thousandth of an inch (.001 inch)).

The rest of the world uses Micro Meters (Microns). A unit of length is equal to one-millionth of a meter.

When measuring the thickness of a glove, it is essential to note that there can be completely different results depending on which part of the glove is measured.

A thickness measurement taken from the fingertips will always be thicker than one taken on the palm of the glove.

Measuring from the palm of a glove is considered the best practice in the glove business.

Considering the thickness when making a purchase is necessary to ensure that you are getting the best possible level of protection against tears and punctures for your needs.

5. Comfort and Fit

Surgical gloves that are too tight can cause swelling and discomfort, while those that are too loose can fall off and create an increased risk of infection.

Hence, ensure you purchase gloves that are comfortable and fit well.

6. Price

In general, higher-priced gloves tend to offer superior quality in terms of both protection and comfort. For example, they may be made from thicker latex, which can help to prevent tearing or puncturing.

They may also be lined with materials that help to reduce hand fatigue during long procedures. However, it is essential to strike a balance between quality and cost.

The most expensive gloves are not necessarily the best option in many cases. It is also worth considering the specific needs of your practice.

For example, if you typically work in non-infectious settings, you may not need as much protection as someone who works in infectious ones. Hence, sterile gloves might not be necessary for you, thereby saving cost.

Ultimately, suitable gloves for your practice should provide an acceptable level of protection at a fair price.

Surgical Gloves Price Guide

There are many different brands of surgical gloves. Medline, for example, is a well-known brand that offers a variety of gloves designed for different medical procedures.

Ansell is also a popular choice for surgical gloves, offering a variety of styles designed for different needs. Cardinal Health is another leading provider of surgical gloves, offering medical professionals a wide range of options.

Below is a list of some of their products and their average prices

• Medline™ SensiCare™ with Aloe Polyisoprene Surgical Gloves: Case of 100 for $533.58
• Ansell ENCORE™ Latex Textured Surgical Gloves: Pack of 50 for $154.61
• Cardinal Health™ Protexis™ Latex Hydrogel Surgical Gloves: Case of 200 for $1,340
• ST-1 Single-Use Sterile Rubber Surgical Gloves: Pack of 50 for $21

Where to Buy Surgical Gloves in Bulk With Wholesale Pricing

Surgical gloves are vital for protecting both patients and caregivers from infection. And while they are available in many different sizes, colors, and materials, finding the right glove for the job can be challenging.

That's where Medwish comes in. We are a leading supplier of medical gloves, and we offer our customers the ability to buy in bulk at wholesale prices.

We have you covered whether you're looking for latex gloves or nitrile gloves. Plus, our customer service team is always available to answer any questions you may have about our products.

So don't wait any longer; head to Medwish today to stock up on the best surgical gloves.