In-use comparison of latex gloves in two high-risk units: Surgical intensive care and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

This study was designed to compare use patterns and leakage of gloves from two high-risk units: a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) unit. During a 3-month interval, the use of gloves during clinical procedures by nursing personnel was observed and recorded. A total of 2900 latex examination gloves were collected and tested in the laboratory by the watertight leakage test: 59% (1714) were from the SICU and 41% (1186) from the AIDS unit. Twenty-four percent (700) of all gloves leaked: 29% (500/1714) leaked when worn by staff in the SICU as compared with 17% (200/1186) leakage rate in the AIDS unit (chi-square = 57.32, p < 0.05). This difference could be attributed in part to higher levels of stress to the gloves and longer wearing time in the SICU.