KIMTECH PURE NON-STERILE GLOVES IN WHAT SITUATIONS ARE NON-STERILE GLOVES SUFFICIENT FOR PROTECTION? WWW.SENTINEL-LABORATORIES.COM INTRODUCTION In healthcare, laboratories, and manufacturing, personal protective equipment (PPE) serves as essential protection against contamination and infection. While surgical procedures require Kimtech Pure sterile gloves, most daily tasks effectively use Kimtech Pure non-sterile gloves for robust and affordable safety. Understanding the clear distinctions between these two glove types and pinpointing the exact situations where the non-sterile option is sufficient is crucial for both operational efficiency and uncompromising safety. STERILE VERSUS NON- STERILE: DEFINING THE DISTINCTION The main distinction between sterile and non-sterile gloves is the Sterility Assurance Level (SAL). Kimtech Pure sterile gloves achieve an SAL of 10 − 6 through validated sterilization, making them suitable for aseptic procedures. They are individually wrapped for optimal cleanliness. Central line insertion or care. Major wound care and the application of surgical dressings. Surgical procedures and any entry into a normally sterile body cavity. Preparation of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) or chemotherapy agents in a sterile environment. Kimtech Pure non-sterile gloves are also known as “clean” or “examination” gloves. They are manufactured under quality-controlled processes. These gloves are not terminally sterilized. Packaged in large dispenser boxes. Ambidextrous design for ease of use. Act as a physical barrier to prevent the transfer of microorganisms, chemicals, and bodily fluids. Ideal for non-invasive procedures that do not breach sterile tissue. HEALTHCARE AND PATIENT CARE SETTINGS In the day-to-day rhythm of a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility, Kimtech Pure non-sterile gloves are the workhorse of infection control. They are essential for practicing Standard Precautions, the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status. Routine Clinical Examinations and Assessments For activities involving direct, but non-invasive, patient contact, non-sterile gloves are the standard. These situations include: ● Routine Patient Vitals: Checking blood pressure, taking temperature, measuring pulse rate, or performing general patient surveys. There is minimal risk of exposure to infectious material, yet a barrier is prudent. ● Physical Assessments: Touching or palpating intact skin during a standard physical examination. ● Non-Invasive Diagnostics: Performing simple screening tests or applying non-invasive monitoring devices. Exposure to Bodily Fluids and Contaminated Materials Healthcare workers should wear Kimtech Pure non-sterile gloves when expecting contact with blood, bodily fluids (except sweat), secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Key situations include: Blood Draws: Protects during venipuncture and capillary blood collection. IV Procedures: Safeguards against blood exposure during IV starts and discontinuations. Waste Management: Essential when emptying drains, catheters, or commode buckets. Care Tasks: Necessary for gastrointestinal and respiratory care, like suctioning or ostomy maintenance. Wound Dressing: Important for dressing changes on healing wounds without sterile exposure. Indirect Patient Contact The use of non-sterile gloves extends to tasks that involve the patient’s environment, which can harbor pathogens: ● Environmental Cleaning: Wiping down contaminated surfaces, patient care equipment (like blood pressure cuffs or stethoscopes), or handling soiled linens. ● Handling Laboratory Specimens: Receiving, labeling, and transporting blood, urine, or tissue samples. In all these scenarios, non-sterile gloves fulfill the necessary function of a robust barrier, ensuring the safety of the healthcare worker and preventing the transfer of microbes between patients or between the patient and the environment. LABORATORY, RESEARCH, AND CLEANROOM ENVIRONMENTS Non-sterile gloves, particularly the Kimtech Pure line, are essential for contamination control in scientific research and manufacturing, extending their use beyond healthcare. In chemistry and biology labs, they protect both the scientist and experiments by: Chemical Splash Protection: Nitrile gloves safeguard against common lab chemicals and solvents during reagent handling and solution mixing. Sample Integrity: They prevent contaminants from skin and cosmetics from compromising results and cell cultures. Microbiology Labs: Used for non-aseptic tasks like media preparation and surface cleaning, they minimize contamination risk, while sterile gloves are still required for sensitive procedures. In controlled environments (ISO Class 5 and above), non-sterile cleanroom gloves are commonly used for various tasks, including: Non-Aseptic Manufacturing: In industries like electronics and precision engineering, Kimtech Pure non-sterile gloves help prevent particle contamination by avoiding skin particulates and fibers. Gowning Procedures: Personnel often use non- sterile gloves during the gowning process before switching to sterile gloves for aseptic zones. They are a reliable and sufficient barrier, fulfilling the essential safety requirement without unnecessary overhead. For a complete inventory of both sterile and non- sterile hand protection, visit Sentinel Laboratories today. CHOOSING SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY The use of gloves requires a risk assessment. Kimtech Pure sterile gloves are best for high-risk invasive procedures to prevent deep-tissue infections. For routine, non-invasive tasks in labs and clinical settings, Kimtech Pure non-sterile gloves provide effective protection, contamination control, and cost-efficiency. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND PARTICIPATION CONTACT INFORMATION: +44 1444 484044 sales@sentinel-laboratories.com sentinel-laboratories.com