A Comparison of the Bacterial Contamination of the Surface of Cleanroom Operators’ Garments following Donning with and without Gloves

Background Specialist cleanroom garments are a potential vector for transmission of microorganisms within these facilities. In order to maintain the low bioburden of such clothing it has been perceived best practice for operators to dress wearing sterile cleanroom gloves. However, the efficacy of such glove use upon the resultant bacterial contamination of the surface of cleanroom garments has not previously been evaluated. Aim To compare surface bacterial contamination of cleanroom garments following their donning by operators dressing with or without gloves. Methods Following prior handwashing and systematic donning of cleanroom clothing by operators dressing wearing either no gloves, non-sterile nitrile gloves or sterile cleanroom latex gloves, a direct agar contact method was immediately undertaken to test garment surfaces at 7 specific sites. Following incubation bacterial levels were suitably quantified. Findings Comparing levels of growth displayed on plates used to test the surface of cleanroom garments worn by operators dressing with no gloves, non–sterile gloves or sterile cleanroom gloves, no significant difference was observed between the percentage of contact plates displaying growth and the levels of growth observed on plates, from any of the sites tested. Conclusion Omission of gloves in line with a systematic handwashing procedure prior to the cleanroom garment donning process, may result in modest economic and environmental gain coupled with a slightly less burdensome procedure. However, this is reliant on rigorous adherence to handwashing protocol and assessment of associated risk factors.

COVID Face Masks: Policy Shift Results in Increased Littering

The introduction of the mandatory use of fitted face masks in indoor spaces to limit the transmission of COVID-19 resulted in increased municipal waste of discarded single-use surgical face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) such as latex gloves. In parallel, the occurrence of intentionally or accidentally discarded masks has created a major environmental problem. This paper presents the data of a longitudinal study of the occurrence of discarded face masks in an urban environment of a community in regional Australia. It demonstrates that the shift from voluntary to mandatory use of fitted face masks resulted in an immediate increase of publicly discarded masks and other items of PPE. The overserved spatial and temporal patterns allow us to draw inferences on human behavior.

1376 Latex Allergies: Seeking an Alternative to Minimise Risk in The Operating Theatre

Introduction Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) gloves have been ubiquitously used in surgical practice. Over the past few decades, there have been many reports of NRL allergies associated with their use presenting a safety hazard to both patients and healthcare workers. Powder-free and latex-free gloves have been shown to offer reductions in incidence of allergic reactions, as well as cost savings. Method We performed a literature search to identify the rates of reaction to latex across the population in addition to the associated costs including litigation costs, costs of admission, and lost work time associated. We further looked at the rates of perforation of alternatives and the costs associated with such a transition. Results The UK prevalence of sensitisation amongst healthcare workers has been estimated to be 10%. The average cost of litigation to the employer was found to be $21,402 per claim. The mean cost of inpatient care for anaphylaxis has been cited as £469.88, with additional costs such as follow-up representing approximately £400. A 14-month study found cost savings of $10,000pa with a switch to non-latex gloves. Furthermore, an overall perforation rate of 80% in a latex-free glove compared to 34.4% in a latex glove. Conclusions From a business perspective, there is evidence of cost-savings arising from a switch to latex-free gloves, however, formal cost-effectiveness analyses would inform future decisions. Furthermore, comfort and reducing the chances of allergic reactions through removing the offending allergen all represent benefits of switching to latex-free gloves, however, non-inferiority analyses will inform future strategies both locally and nationally.

Is Single Gloving Still Acceptable? Investigation and Evaluation of Damages on Sterile Latex Gloves in General Surgery

(1) Background: The sterile latex surgical glove is an important part of protecting both the patient and the surgical team from infections. However, mechanical stress can damage the integrity of the glove material and thus may lead to infections. (2) Method: A total of 896 gloves from 448 surgeries were tested and evaluated by the water tightening test according to EN455 and ASTM D5151-19. (3) Results: From 448 surgeries, 18.8% of the interventions showed glove damage. In vascular surgery, gloves were damaged in 20.8%, in thoracic surgery 9.1%, in laparoscopic interventions 21.7%, in the subgroup hernia surgeries (TAPP) 17.6% and in open interventions 17.6%. A total of 101 damages were found on 896 gloves; one glove could have several damages. During vascular surgery, 60% of the damages were on the subordinated hand of the surgeon, and 73.3% of the damages had a size of 1 mm. In laparoscopic procedures, the subordinated hand was also more frequently affected (61.3%) than the dominant hand; 64.5% of the damages were 1 mm in size. In the hernia surgery subgroup (TAPP), no damage was larger than 1 mm; 66.7% were in the subordinated hand area. The duration of surgery had no influence on the lesion rate. (4) Conclusion: The damage rate in low impact procedures is high and represents an underestimated problem in soft tissue surgery. The use of single gloving can therefore lead to the risk of infection. EN455 and ASTM D5151-19 does not take into consideration the risk of intraoperative lesions. Double gloving and glove change algorithms should be established.

Gloves Perforations in Minor Oral Surgical Procedures: A Comparison of Latex and Nitrile Gloves

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare incidence of perforations in Latex and Nitrile examination gloves during Minor Oral surgical procedures performed under local anesthesia. METHODOLOGY: 100 pairs of latex and 100 pairs of Nitrile examination gloves where used to perform 200 minor oral surgical procedures under local anesthesia. After completion of every minor oral surgical procedure each gloves was examined by Water Inflation method to observe presence or absence of Perforations. A data sheet was used to collect data including type of Gloves used (Latex or Nitrile) presence of perforations, sites of perforations and nature of minor oral surgical procedures. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive analysis was conducted to calculate frequency and percentages of Number and sites of perforations for both Nitrile and latex examination gloves. Chi Square test was used to find out statistical significance of difference of perforations rate between Nitrile and Latex gloves. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Out of 200 latex gloves 23 (11.5) had 29 perforations whereas out of total 200 Nitrile gloves 28 (14%) had 22 perforations. Nitrile gloves had a statistically significant higher rate of perforations as compared to Latex gloves. (P value 0.043). For both Nitrile and Latex gloves left non dominant hand had highest frequency of perforations Latex 18 (81.81%) perforations and Nitrile 18(62.06%). Index finger and thumb were most frequent sites of perforations in both Latex and Nitrile gloves. CONCLUSION: Gloves perforations were more common in Nitrile examination gloves however total number of perforations was more in Latex examination gloves.

Methodology to Investigate Indigenous Solid Waste Systems and Practices in the Rural Areas Surrounding Maseru (Kingdom of Lesotho)

Solid waste management (SWM) is the greatest challenge facing environmental protection and human wellbeing in the rural communities of Maseru (Kingsom of Lesotho). A lack of formal waste management (WM) systems in rural areas of Maseru have resulted in different indigenous systems and practices of SWM. Direct observation and descriptive designs will be employed. This is a mixed methods study of qualitative, quantitative and, non-experimental. We obtained data sets from existing official census and statistics of Maseru. We sampled 693 participants from total population of 6917. We received ethical clearance from Research Ethics committee of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg, we recruited six field workers. We have preventive equipment (sanitizers, masks, and sterile latex gloves) for COVID-19 infections in place; we have specific design on caps, masks and bags that will identify field workers as they collect data. We will train field workers, administer questionnaires, interview, and observe participants. STATKON will analyse data. The research will share the results with the Ministry of Environment and the community in Lesotho. The results will also be used to educate the rural communities on improved WM. Where weaknesses are identified, mitigation measures can be evaluated and implemented to rectify the negative aspects and improve the systems and practices. The rural communities face challenges such as waste collection services and sanitation facilities and this fact points out that there is a gap in SWM, which favours the existence of indigenous systems and practice of SWM.

Early life triggers for food allergy, that in turn impacts dietary habits in childhood

Introduction and objectives: In order to investigate food allergy’s prevalence, risk factors and eating behavior of children with relevant anamnesis, a study was performed in Cypriot primary schools.Patients: A specially composed questionnaire for self-reported adverse reactions to food, cre-ated in the context of the EuroPrevall study, was distributed in 13 representative primary schools across the country. Participants were sub-grouped into three groups; healthy (H), those with unconfirmed food hypersensitivity reactions (FA−) and children with a confirmed diagnosis by a physician IgE-mediated food allergy (FA+). Food habits, family health history and lifestyle factors were assessed and groups’ outcomes were compared with each other.Results: For the study, 202 questionnaires were completed and returned; 31 children (19 FA-and 12 FA+) reported an adverse food reaction. Significant risk factors for developing FA+ were being the first born or having siblings with asthma, attended a day nursery, but also maternal alcohol drinking during pregnancy, parental smoking and parental occupation in food processing or use of latex gloves. The presence of children in the kitchen during cooking showed a protective role. Dietary habits of FA+ children were significantly diminished in terms of variety and frequency of consumption in comparison to the rest, in which had a greater overlap. Conclusion: Further research is required for the interesting risk or protective factors revealing from the current investigation. The negative effect of food allergy in the dietary habits of food allergic children documented in the literature, is strongly supported herein.