Hand hygiene compliance can take a toll on hands. And just because clinicians wear gloves, doesn’t mean their hands are completely protected. Underneath those gloves, many nurses commonly battle dry, irritated skin — complaints often connected to constant washing, scrubbing and sanitizing. In fact, 88 percent of healthcare professionals believe that following proper protocols can lead to the onset of skin problems.
Medline Industries Inc. has developed an exam glove that helps soothe healthcare professionals’ hands and maintain the skin’s moisture barrier to prevent and protect dry skin. A number of skin studies have examined how clinician hands compare to those who don’t participate in frequent hand washing and conclude that healthcare workers are vulnerable to dry skin, more than any other group. Restore nitrile gloves with colloidal oatmeal incorporate this soothing agent. Colloidal oatmeal is a USP skin protectant drug and one the Food and Drug Administration has indicated can temporarily protect and help relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to rashes or eczema.
“More needs to be done to highlight the important link between hand hygiene compliance and skin care,” said Martie Moore, R.N., MAOM, CPHQ, chief nursing officer for Medline. “Gloves are like a second skin to healthcare workers and this innovative new glove is a simple step facilities can take to help protect its most valuable tools — the hands of staff.”
Restore’s patented technology is designed to protect and nourish the skin. The colloidal oatmeal in the glove temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to rashes or eczema. By creating a soothing physical barrier between the glove and skin, the gloves contribute to a more comfortable and moisturizing environment where sweating and irritation can be common.
Learn more about Medline’s new colloidal oatmeal glove at www.medline.com/restore-gloves.
