Assessing the sustainable use of textile and semipermeable glove liners in healthcare from the viewpoints of hygiene, reprocessing, recycling, and disposal (ProTection III)

Status:

completed 02/2025

Aims:

This research aims to expand existing knowledge regarding the use of glove liners (GLs) by considering the perspectives of various stakeholder groups. The focus is, firstly, on determining general indicators and attitudes towards the type, frequency of use, handling, and reprocessing options for GLs in hygiene-sensitive work areas. Secondly, the research seeks to identify potential problem areas and risks associated with their use, and to experimentally verify these findings. Additionally, the study will assess the practical feasibility of various procedures for reprocessing the semipermeable gloves made of Sympatex^®.

Activities/Methods:

• Sub-study 1a): Online survey of experts, descriptive analysis, component of questionnaire development for sub-studies 1b and 2.
• Sub-study 1b): Online survey of practical professionals, descriptive analysis.
• Sub-study 2): Online survey of individuals with skin problems, sample drawn from BGW insured database (n=1.000), descriptive analysis.
• Sub-study 3): Experimental investigations for the hygienic-microbiological evaluation of the use of glove liners made of different materials.

Results:

Sub-study 1-2: The study allows for a nuanced view of the use of GLs in healthcare sector from the perspective of different target groups, although the results are characterized by limited sample sizes and restricted representativeness, which limits their generalizability. In summary, it can be stated that there is a need for action regarding the use of GLs. Notable differences were observed in the responses between and within the surveyed target groups. This was particularly true for topics for which sufficient recommendations are currently lacking and which can be considered complex (especially regarding carrying, single/multiple use, and reprocessing). An analysis of current practices in healthcare allows us to pinpoint potential causes and associated risks, and to formulate practical recommendations for the hygienic and safe use of GLs.

Sub-study 3: The approaches of the pilot study proved to be largely feasible and cost-effectively implementable. The results show initial indicative trends that were largely reproducible (e.g., reprocessing and disinfectability). To further secure the methodology, results, and resulting recommendations for the use of GLs in practice, systematic studies are required.

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