A Study on Powdering of Reusable Surgical Gloves
Somwang Danchaivijitr MD*, Pairoj Suwanasuthi BEng**, Rachada Cherdrungsi MSc***, Yuwadee Tuntiwattanapibul RN***
Affiliation : *Department of Medicine,Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, **Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, ***Centre for Nosocomial Infection Control, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objectives : To study the need of powdering surgical gloves and to produce a powdering machine.
Materials and Methods : The need of powdering surgical gloves was done by questionnaires to directors or
chiefs of purchase departments in 29 hospitals across the country. The practice in powdering surgical gloves
was given by chiefs of the central sterile supply department (CSSD). A powdering machine was produced by
the researchers in consultation with CSSD personnel in a hospital. The quality of powdering surgical gloves
was evaluated by infection control nurses in the hospital. Cost comparison was done by a health economist.
Results : The study in 2002 revealed that all of the 29 hospitals used recycled surgical gloves. Powdering of
surgical gloves was done by hand in 27.6% and by powdering machine in 62.10%. Corn powder was used in
55.2% and talc in 41.4%.Defects in powdering ranged from 1.1% to 51.7%. No defects was found in surgical
gloves powdered by the machine produced by the researchers. The costs for powdering and one pair of reused
surgical gloves were 0.10 and 5.59 baht respectively.
Conclusion : Surgical gloves were reused in all hospitals in Thailand. The powdering machine was effective
and was not difficult to make.
Keywords : Powdering, Surgical gloves
