The changing face of hand protection.
Perioperative nurses are empowered to act as patient advocates. As such, it is their responsibility to critically evaluate all products used in the surgical environment, including gloves. A basic understanding of the history of surgical gloves, health issues associated with their use, glove materials, and the essential properties of hand scrubs can help perioperative nurses choose appropriate products. This article explores these issues so that nurses and other health care workers can develop a framework for making informed decisions based on clinical reasoning.
Graves
Peter B
PB
Regent Medical, Norcross, Ga., USA.
Twomey
Carolyn L
CL
D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000266:history; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity; D008722:Methods; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D013527:Perioperative Nursing; D014481:United States