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Objective |
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Medical gloves are designed to protect both the patient and the healthcare
professional from:
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Organic matter/biohazards on
hands and skin. |
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Transmission of organic matter/biohazards
already on the skin. |
Cross-in-fection with pathogens in blood/body fluids. The main hazards
of being exposed to blood and body fluids include HIV, Viral Hepatitis,
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), Herpes and Vancomycin-resistant
Enterococci (VRE). The risk of infection transmission depends on the:
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Level of pathogen concentration
in carrier. |
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Mode of transmission (intact
or broken skin, mucous membranes, percutaneous). |
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Volume of infectious fluid transferred. |
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Length of exposure. |
Effectiveness of barriers used to prevent infections. Situations where
infection risk is great:
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Sharps accidents
(instruments and equipment). |
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Surgical procedures. |
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Passing instruments. |
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Aerosolized blood/
tissue and blood and body fluid splatter. |
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Blood seepage through
inadequate barrier garment. |
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