THE DESIGN, EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE ARM SLEEVE FOR THEPREVENTION OF BODY-FLUID CONTAMINATION DURING OBSTETRIC PROCEDURES

Objectives 1. To design a device that would reduce contamination of st aff during obstetric procedures. 2. To undertake clinical trials to as sess the effectiveness and acceptability of such a device. Design A pr ospective study. The arm sleeve is made of a nonwoven material laminat ed on polyethylene film making it waterproof. It has an elastomeric cu ff with adhesive that ensures a watertight seal between it and the glo ve. Setting Delivery suite in a teaching hospital. Methods Doctors and midwives were requested to wear the sleeve on top of the standard gow n and gloves. Each user was assessed for blood contamination at the en d of the procedure and a questionnaire detailing the extent of contami nation and the views of the user was completed. Results Eighty questio nnaires were completed. The contamination of arms and hands was 3.8% a nd 5%, respectively. Eighty-nine percent thought the sleeve had served its purpose and 76% said they would use it regularly. Conclusions The sleeve is an effective protective device which complements the glove and gown. We recommend that it should be used during all obstetric pro cedures.