title: Inadequate standard for glove puncture resistance: allows production of gloves with limited puncture resistance.
abstract: The National Fire Protection Association has developed standards for glove puncture resistance using a metal puncture probe. Biomechanical performance studies have demonstrated that glove puncture resistance to the probe is significantly greater than that of the hypodermic needle, suggesting that these standards have no clinical relevance. These standards give a false sense of security to health care personnel and sanction the production and use of gloves that give inadequate protection. The result is potentially harmful for medical personnel.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wenger
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012408:Rubber; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D012408:Rubber