Reducing the hazards of exposure to cornstarch glove powder

Latex allergy has received considerable attention during the past decade. The occurrence of latex allergy in health care workers is higher than in the general population. Latex gloves are the most frequent form of exposure that health care workers have to natural rubber latex; therefore, the relationship between gloves and latex allergies, has been well studied. Scientific evidence supports the link between glove powder and the occurrence of latex allergies, as well as the development of postoperative complications in surgical patients. This article describes how a multihospital system, which is the seventh largest not-for-profit health care corporation in the nation and includes 35 ORs, successfully eliminated powdered gloves from the environment.