Efficacy of placing tape over glove-protective clothing interface to prevent fluid leakage

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for healthcare personnel to protect against infections from exposure to body fluids containing bloodborne pathogens such as Ebola, HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Despite advancements in PPE materials, interface regions, particularly the junction between gloves and protective clothing, remain vulnerable to fluid leakage. Although taping these interfaces is a common practice, its efficacy has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study examined the barrier performance of various tape models applied at the glove-protective clothing interface using a quantitative fluid leakage test.

Five tape models; Gorilla Crystal Clear, 3M Contractor Grade Multi-Use Duct tape, Kappler Chemtape, 3M Durapore Surgical tape, and 3M Nexcare tape were evaluated under controlled conditions using a robotic arm that simulated healthcare personnel movements. A 5-second soak exposure followed by motion sequences was conducted, and fluid penetration was quantified by measuring absorption by the inner cotton sleeve. One-way analysis of variance and post-hoc comparisons determined differences among tape models.

Gorilla Crystal Clear Tape significantly reduced fluid leakage compared to all other models. 3M Durapore showed the highest leakage, while 3M Nexcare performed moderately.

Taping significantly decreases fluid leakage at the glove-protective clothing interface, though performance depends on tape type. Some tapes may damage garments during removal, underscoring the need to balance barrier efficacy with ease of doffing in PPE use.