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A clinician's intact skin is his or her first line of defense
against microorganisms, chemicals and other fluids. As
a result, there has been a great deal of interest in new
glove products and other products that contain additives
known to moisturize or otherwise benefit the skin.
However, quantitative measures detailing whether these
additives actually have a beneficial effect on skin have
been absent.
Key questions to consider when choosing a glove with skin-beneficial
additives:
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How were products tested and on what population?
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Did testing simulate actual glove usage?
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Are the beneficial additives present in high enough amounts
to significantly impact hand health?
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Did clinicians provide input to the development?
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What tests were used to evaluate efficacy? |
Gloves and skin care products containing various additives designed
to improve skin health will provide vastly different skin benefits
depending on the ingredient selected, the amount of the ingredient
present and the formulation of the product. A key consideration
when assessing these products is to examine the available test data
that specifically demonstrate the benefit of the product in actual
or simulated clinical use conditions using "gold standard" tests
developed by dermatologists. By understanding these issues and test
methods, clinicians can more effectively evaluate the efficacy of
gloves or other products containing additives designed to improve
skin health and integrity.
These quantitative results can ensure that practitioners and ultimately
the health-care organization - are receiving the full benefits these
gloves and other products have to offer and are well prepared to
deal with the significant issue of dermatitis.
Choosing skin care products on the basis of cost is a false economy
since the costs associated with even a few health-care associated
infections of average severity can equal the entire annual budget
for hand-hygiene products used in in patient areas. Just one severe
surgical site infection, lower respiratory infection or bloodstream
infection can easily exceed the entire budget for antiseptic agents.
A study by Zhan found that, on average, postoperative infections
extend hospital stays by 11 days and add $58,000 in costs.i Simply
purchasing more effective or more acceptable hand-hygiene products
can have a positive impact on the prevention of health-care-associated
infections (HAIs) and the associated costs. However, availability
of appropriate hand hygiene products addresses only half the issue.
Clinician compliance with recommended skin-care and hygiene protocols
is also key and is a common weak link in many skin wellness programs.
One important recent development is the introduction of products
that deliver moisturizing agents in new ways, including Cardinal
Health's medical gloves treated with Neu-Thera,T a propriety formula
containing panthenol, chitosan, glycerin and gluconolactone. These
gloves represent a completely different type of glove that has never
been seen before on the market.
Improving the skin health of clinicians can have an enormous positive
impact on health care. It will allow you to address the clinical
implications of everyday tasks like protecting hands more effectively
and will aid in putting in place the products and programs that
can improve outcomes for patients and practitioners.
References
i Zhan, C., Miller, M.R.(2003). Excess length of stay, charges and
mortality attributable to medical injuries during hospitalization.
JAMA.(290),1868-74.
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