The design, effectiveness and acceptability of the arm sleeve for the prevention of body fluid contamination during obstetric procedures.
OBJECTIVE
1. To design a device that would reduce contamination of staff during obstetric procedures. 2. To undertake clinical trials to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of such a device.


METHODS
A prospective study. The arm sleeve is made of a nonwoven material laminated on polyethylene film making it waterproof. It has an elastomeric cuff with adhesive that ensures a watertight seal between it and the glove.


METHODS
Delivery suite in a teaching hospital.


METHODS
Doctors and midwives were requested to wear the sleeve on top of the standard gown and gloves. Each user was assessed for blood contamination at the end of the procedure and a questionnaire detailing the extent of contamination and the views of the user was completed.


RESULTS
Eighty questionnaires were completed. The contamination of arms and hands was 3.8% and 5%, respectively. Eighty-nine percent thought the sleeve had served its purpose and 76% said they would use it regularly.


CONCLUSIONS
The sleeve is an effective protective device which complements the glove and gown. We recommend that it should be used during all obstetric procedures.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
J J
JJ
Kabukoba
J M
JM
Pearce
D001769:Blood; D001826:Body Fluids; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000592:standards*