title: Impact of converting to powder-free gloves. Decreasing the symptoms of latex exposure in operating room personnel.
abstract: This study examined health care worker satisfaction with the use of non-powdered natural rubber latex (NRL) surgical gloves to determine the impact of non-powdered NRL gloves on the NRL sensitization of operating room personnel. The study used a 1-year longitudinal design to obtain recall information from employees about their NRL exposure. Additionally, a survey was completed by participants related to their satisfaction with non-powdered NRL gloves. Informed consent was obtained from 103 employees. After conversion to an operating room using non-powdered NRL, there was a significant decrease in reported symptoms with NRL exposure (42% pre- and 29% post-conversion, Fisher's exact, two-tailed, p = .0001). This study demonstrated that the conversion to non-powdered low-protein NRL gloves resulted in decreased symptoms because of NRL exposure.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, School of Nursing & Medicine, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Korniewicz
authors.forename: Nantiya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chookaew
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Nichol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bookhamer
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mudd
authors.forename: Mary Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bollinger
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011208:Powders / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D011208:Powders