Gloves: Five Key Questions Selecting a disposable exam glove can be daunting. While price is certainly an important factor, there are other qualities that need to be considered. Here are five important questions to answer when choosing a glove: "What failure rate am I willing to accept?" Here are the average failure rates for the most common glove formulations1,2: Nitrile: 2% Latex: 10% Stretch vinyl: 20% Standard vinyl: 41% "Do any of my residents or staff have latex allergies?" Allergic reactions to latex can range from sneezing and skin rashes to anaphylaxis. It can cost between $5,000 and $25,000 to treat just one anaphylactic episode resulting from a latex allergy.3 "Which gloves offer the best barrier protection?" A glove's barrier protection is important when the wearer could be exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Nitrile and latex gloves both provide a high level of barrier protection. Vinyl gloves do not provide as much protection and should not be used in high-risk or hazardous situations. "What kind of tensile strength do I need?" Tensile strength refers to the amount of pull or force required to break a glove. The higher the tensile strength number, the more resistant the glove is to breaking. Gloves with a higher tensile strength are a good match for more demanding tasks. Your distributor can provide you with tensile strength data for the gloves they offer. "When do I need better tactile sensitivity?" Tactile sensitivity is important when a high-precision task is being performed. Some gloves are textured to further enhance tactile sensitivity. Your ProMed territory manager is ready to help you find the perfect glove for your needs. To get started, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online by clicking the link above. References 1 Kerr LN, Chaput MP, Cash LD et al. Assessment of the durability of medical examination gloves. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. 2004;1:607-612. 2 Rego A, Roley L. In-use barrier integrity of gloves: latex and nitrile superior to vinyl. American Journal of Infection Control. 1999;27(5)405-10. 3 Bollinger ME, Mudd K, Keilble LA, Hess BL, Bascom R, Hamilton RG. A hospital-based screening program for natural rubber latex allergy. An Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002;6:560-7.

Embrace™ Nitrile Gloves provide the comfort, fit and sensitivity of latex gloves – with the peace of mind that comes with nitrile. Now it's possible to protect your residents and staff from the health risks and expenses associated with latex allergies without sacrificing performance. Additional features: Eliminate reactions to latex proteins and other conditions associated with latex glove use Superior tensile strength Guard against hand fatigue Resistant to chemicals and unrivaled against blood-borne pathogens and other body fluids Powder free Textured Ambidextrous Non-sterile Single use only

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