Ansell has released the results of a recently published study demonstrating that antimicrobial surgical gloves have the potential to decrease the risk of surgical site infection (SSI). In the event of a glove breach, the antimicrobial agent can suppress the regrowth of bacteria on surgeons’ hands and help prevent bacterial contamination of the surgical site. Ansell is leading the industry in developing such advanced technologies and innovations, including the GAMMEX Powder-Free surgical glove with AMT Antimicrobial Technology, to help address the problem of SSIs and help reduce the risk of microbial transmission.
Glove breaches compromise the effectiveness of the physical protective barrier provided by surgical gloves. Glove breaches have been shown to be common, occurring in up to 65 percent of surgeries, and up to 83 percent of glove breaches are not noticed by surgeons. In addition, the likelihood of glove breach increases with the duration of the procedure. Also increasing with the duration of the procedure is the regrowth of skin-flora on surgeons’ hands, which has the potential to contaminate the surgical site in the event of a glove breach. The World Health Organization estimates the rate of SSI from 0.5 percent to 15 percent, depending on the type of procedure and patient factors. SSIs are known to have a significant impact on length of patient stay, patient costs, and health system costs.
“The results of this study demonstrate the value of our antimicrobial surgical glove as an advancement in technology that directly addresses a significant problem in healthcare, and can ultimately increase patient safety,” said Anthony B. Lopez, President and General Manager, Ansell Medical Solutions.
For more information, visit www.ansell.com.
