Lower-protein latex gloves. A way to reduce allergic reactions in hospital staff.

It has long been accepted that the proteins in natural rubber latex (NRL) medical gloves can cause sensitivity reactions in some healthcare workers. What hasn't been clear is whether the amount of protein in the gloves relates to the number of people who react to NRL gloves. Recent studies, however, clearly demonstrate that it does. By using lower-protein gloves, hospitals can help address NRL-allergy issues among glove users. Recent standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) have recommended using gloves with aqueous soluble protein content no higher than 200 micrograms per square decimeter (microgram/dm2) of glove material. But some gloves are available with protein levels as low as 50 micrograms/dm2. ECRI believes that hospitals should use NRL gloves with the lowest possible protein levels. Hospitals wishing to buy low-protein gloves should look for labeling that lists the protein content of the gloves, that identifies them as conforming with the latest ASTM standards, or that lists a new type of certification--the Standard Malaysian Glove (SMG) certification. The SMG program sets glove requirements that include barrier strength and protein content. Gloves bearing the SMG label conform to published standards and are routinely inspected for quality.