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New advances in electronic devices for hole detection.
M J Cox1, W J Bromberg, R D Zura
1Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
Journal of Applied Biomaterials : an Official Journal of the Society for Biomaterials
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Two new surgical glove hole detectors were evaluated. The Surgic Alert Monitor (SAM) showed promise, but reliable detection requires gloves resistant to hydration.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Infection Control
- Surgical Safety
Background:
- Surgical glove holes are a significant route for pathogen transmission between surgeons and patients.
- Effective detection of glove perforations is crucial for preventing surgical site infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of two novel glove hole detection devices.
- To compare the performance of the Barrier Integrity Monitor and the Surgic Alert Monitor (SAM).
Main Methods:
- Tested 13 surgical glove types (powdered and powder-free) under dry and hydrated conditions.
- Evaluated two glove hole detectors: Barrier Integrity Monitor and Surgic Alert Monitor (SAM).
- Assessed device performance based on hole detection accuracy and false positive rates.
Main Results:
- Eight glove types rapidly hydrated, altering electrical conductivity.
- The Barrier Integrity Monitor produced 68 false positives due to hydration.
- The SAM demonstrated no false positives but failed to reliably detect holes in five rapidly hydrating glove types.
Conclusions:
- The Surgic Alert Monitor (SAM) shows potential as a reliable glove hole detection system.
- Optimal performance of the SAM is dependent on using surgical gloves that resist hydration.
- Further research is needed to address SAM's limitations with rapidly hydrating glove materials.