Some of the institutes have adopted a policy of recycling and reusing latex examination gloves. Today when we have stopped recycling/reusing most of the materials for eg syringes, needles, catheters etc in order to stop spread of infections, there are institutes which are reusing the latex examination gloves. These institutes simply clean, autoclave the gloves and then supply to wards, A&E, minor operation theatres, laboratories etc. Such a practice not only endangers the life of the patients but it is also unsafe for the medicos who are using these.
A surgeon is required to wash/scrub properly before any procedure despite using sterile gloves, gowns etc as it is believed that these articles might have microscopic pores which may lead to transfer of harmful pathogens. This is in context of fresh/new gloves. But what about recycled gloves, won't these have macroscopic pores in addition…
