title: Conversion to low-protein, powder-free surgical gloves: is it worth the cost?
abstract: This study was conducted to determine changes in overall costs associated with conversion to powder-free gloves including cost of workers' compensation cases for natural rubber latex (NRL)-related symptoms and health care workers' glove satisfaction. The study, a 2-year, longitudinal design with retrospective and prospective aspects, was developed to determine health care worker use of powder-free, low-protein NRL gloves, sensitization, cost, and glove satisfaction. Informed consent was obtained from 103 health care workers. Prior to glove conversion, nearly one-half (44%, 36 of 82) of the operating room staff reported symptoms related to NRL exposure. At the end of the 14-month data collection period, only 27% (22 of 82, McNemar test = .007) reported symptoms related to NRL exposure. Additionally, a cost savings of 10,000 dollars per year for gloves was evident with reports of increased user satisfaction. This study demonstrated that conversion to the use of powder-free, low-protein NRL gloves not only reduces health care worker NRL symptoms, but also positively affects the costs of glove purchases and workers' compensation.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, School of Nursing & Health Studies, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Korniewicz
authors.forename: Nantiya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chookaew
authors.forename: Maher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Masri
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mudd
authors.forename: Mary Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bollinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017046:Cost Savings; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D011208:Powders / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012408:Rubber; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D011208:Powders; D012408:Rubber