Dm. Korniewicz et al., BARRIER PROTECTION WITH EXAMINATION GLOVES - DOUBLE VERSUS SINGLE, American journal of infection control, 22(1), 1994, pp. 12-15
In a series of experiments, the barrier integrity of single and double
vinyl and latex examination gloves were tested for dye and water leak
s after being placed under stress. A total of 886 examination gloves (
385 vinyl: single, 199; double, 186; and 501 latex: single, 290; doubl
e, 21 1) were tested with a standardized clinical protocol designed to
mimic patient care activities. Leakage rates for single or double glo
ving were significantly higher for vinyl than for latex gloves. Single
vinyl gloves were significantly more likely to leak than were double
vinyl gloves (51.3% and 19.7%, p < 0.0001). However, there were essent
ially no differences in leakage rates for single or double latex glove
s (4.1% and 3.8%, p = 1). Significantly higher rates of leakage were i
dentified with the water leak test than with the dye test for vinyl (p
< 0.001) but not for latex (p = 0.22) gloves. For vinyl but not latex
gloves, there were significant differences in leakage rates by brand.
We conclude that double gloving offers little advantage during routin
e procedures associated with minimal stress to the gloves or when late
x gloves are worn.