BARRIER BREACH OF SURGICAL GLOVES

The barrier properties of natural rubber latex gloves have been of cli nical interest since the concept of using an integrity monitor was int roduced by me over 30 years ago. Although surgeons expect their gloves to serve as an effective barrier during use, products can and do fail . Failure is often unrecognized, resulting in the wearer's exposure to potential pathogens and the patient to microorganisms shed by surgica l team members. Although a variety of solutions have been suggested (d ouble gloving, cut-resistant gloves), these remedies do not alert the surgeon to a breach of barrier, the cost and consequences of which are astronomical to the health system. As a result, some form of breach d etection device is now recommended to minimize the likelihood of expos ure, infection, and/or allergy.