title: Integrity of vinyl and latex procedure gloves.
abstract: In a series of experiments the integrity of vinyl and latex procedure gloves were tested under in-use conditions. Both types of gloves were tested by three methods: watertight (645 samples), bacterial penetration (50), and dye exclusion (90). Results of the watertight test demonstrated visible defects in 4.1% of vinyl and 2.7% in latex gloves. Twenty percent of latex gloves and 34% of vinyl gloves which had passed the watertight test allowed penetration of Serratia marcescens when worn by volunteers. A series of manipulations designed to simulate approximately 15 minutes of clinical activity in an intensive care unit resulted in failure rates as high as 66%. Using the dye penetration test, there was a statistically significant difference between vinyl and latex procedure gloves with full manipulations, with failure rates of 53% and 3%, respectively. Both types of gloves provided some barrier protection. However, latex gloves performed better when stressed.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Korniewicz
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Laughon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Butz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000592:standards*; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D011145:Polyvinyls; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000592:standards*; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D011145:Polyvinyls; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride