[Use of Reusable Textile Undergloves for Medical Procedures: A Feasibility Study].
OBJECTIVE
Undergloves are a way to reduce moisture-related skin damage. The aim of this feasibility study was to gain experience with logistics, applicability, acceptability and cost of the routine use of reusable textile undergloves in a hospital setting.


METHODS
Undergloves were tested with 18 health-care workers on an intensive care unit over three months. Data on usage as well as logistics were recorded. At baseline, personal data and knowledge and use of cotton undergloves, existing skin problems and the nursing behaviour of the hands by the subjects were determined by means of an input questionnaire. After each wearing, data on usage were collected by a questionnaire. Participants were interviewed by means of a questionnaire with respect to their experience with the use of the undergloves.


RESULTS
Acceptance and compliance with the use of undergloves was remarkably good. This was partly due to the properties of the gloves, and partly to the reduction of sweating and very positive effect on the skin of the hands. In the study period 2165 underglove uses were documented, resulting in an average daily consumption of four pairs per person per day. The average wearing time was 28.6 min. The undergloves were suitable for application as well as reprocessing. Reprocessment-related fatigue was relatively low and did not lead to the loss of the properties, only few gloves had to be sorted out. Even if one assumes a complete write-off of the gloves with end of the study, costs for reprocessing were about 0.46 € or 64 % less than the single use.


CONCLUSIONS
The routine use of textile, reprocessable undergloves is feasible. Major challenges for broad usage are within logistics and acceptance by the user.
Institut für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland.
N-O
NO
Hübner
Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- & Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland.
K
K
Rubbert
Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege, BGW, Berlin, Deutschland.
U
U
Pohrt
Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- & Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland.
C-D
CD
Heidecke
Klinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral-, Thorax- & Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland.
L I
LI
Partecke
Institut für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland.
A
A
Kramer
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005858:Germany; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013784:Textiles / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*