Sterile gloves: do they make a difference? - 09/12/12
, Kurt Davis, M.D., William Rice, M.D.
Corresponding author. Tel.: 915-742-2698; fax: 915-569-2903Abstract |
Background |
Multiple studies have demonstrated that >105 organisms/mL are needed to cause a wound infection. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a difference in bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) on sterile gloves versus clean gloves in an outpatient clinical setting.
Methods |
Volunteers self-gloved with pairs of clean gloves, and culture swabs were obtained from the palmar surface. Cultures were also obtained after volunteers self-donned sterile gloves and donned sterile gloves with the assistance of a surgical technician.
Results |
Twenty-five volunteers participated. Mean growths were as follows: clean gloves, 14.08 ± 15.45 CFUs/mL (range, 0–44 CFUs/mL); self-donned sterile gloves, 1.28 ± 4.28 CFUs/mL (range, 0–20 CFUs/mL); and technician-assisted sterile gloves, 1 positive with 8 CFUs/mL.
Conclusions |
There was a statistically significant difference in bacterial load on clean gloves versus sterile gloves (P < .001). However, when comparing the bacterial contamination on clean gloves with that required to cause an infection, it appeared that this statistically significant difference was clinically irrelevant.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Gloves, Infection
Plan
Vol 204 - N° 6
P. 976-980 - décembre 2012 Retour au numéro
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