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The microbial and physical quality of recycled gloves
B Hagos1, I O Kibwage, M Mwongera
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi.
Abstract:
Plastic surgical gloves reprocessed at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) were tested for microbiological and physical quality, using standard, disposable, factory sterilised surgical gloves as reference. The microbiological tests were carried out using slightly modified British Pharmacopoeia method. The tests to check on the physical integrity of the gloves were designed in our laboratories. A total of 48 pairs of each group were tested. 41.67% of the reprocessed gloves and 12.5% of the reference glove failed sterility test, whereas 47.9% of the former and 0% of the latter had physical defects. These results show significant difference in the microbiological and physical quality of the reprocessed and reference gloves. The reprocessing of plastic surgical gloves is therefore, potentially dangerous and it is strongly recommended that it is discontinued at all levels of health-care institutions.
Insights
Reprocessed plastic surgical gloves pose significant risks, with high failure rates in sterility and physical integrity tests compared to new gloves. Discontinue glove reprocessing in healthcare settings to ensure patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Surgical Materials Science
- Healthcare Safety
Background:
- Reprocessing of plastic surgical gloves is a practice in some healthcare facilities to reduce costs.
- Concerns exist regarding the microbiological and physical integrity of reprocessed surgical gloves.
- Standard, disposable, factory-sterilized gloves serve as a benchmark for quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the microbiological and physical quality of reprocessed plastic surgical gloves.
- To compare the quality of reprocessed gloves with standard, disposable surgical gloves.
- To determine the safety and efficacy of surgical glove reprocessing.
Main Methods:
- Microbiological testing using a modified British Pharmacopoeia method.
- Physical integrity testing developed in-house.
- Comparative analysis of 48 pairs each of reprocessed and reference gloves.
Main Results:
- 41.67% of reprocessed gloves failed sterility tests versus 12.5% of reference gloves.
- 47.9% of reprocessed gloves exhibited physical defects, compared to 0% of reference gloves.
- Significant differences in both microbiological and physical quality were observed.
Conclusions:
- Reprocessed plastic surgical gloves demonstrate inferior microbiological and physical quality.
- The reprocessing of surgical gloves presents potential dangers to patient and healthcare worker safety.
- Discontinuation of surgical glove reprocessing is strongly recommended across all healthcare institutions.