Product News: August 2001

Perioperative protection
If you're looking for latex-free or powder-free exam gloves for your facility, two new offerings from Allegiance Healthcare may fit the bill.

The Flexam Nitrile Powder-Free Sterile Exam Glove is said to be exceptionally puncture- resistant and durable. The company says the glove molds to the hand quickly to provide optimal fit and comfort; a special anti-slip finish and textured fingertips provide for a sure grip. The glove has an 11-inch length and a beaded cuff, which prevents rolldown. Allegiance's Sterile Powder-Free Latex Exam Glove is an ambidextrous glove that is said to feature excellent tactile sensitivity. Because it has no powder, it decreases the risk of skin irritation, the company says. Both gloves are available in singles or pairs. For more information, contact the company at (847) 578-2249, visit www.cardinal.com/allegiance, or circle 131.

Make your needle holders like new
Spectrum Surgical Instruments has just announced that it will now add needle holders to its repair program. The service includes sharpening the scissor portion, replacing the carbide inserts, and restoring the instrument's finish. You can also request that the repair technicians re-gold the instrument's ring handles, for a fee of $18.00.

If you have instruments in need of repair, send them to Spectrum Surgical Instruments Repair Facility, 4575 Hudson Drive, Stow, OH 44224. For more information on how to use Spectrum's instrument repair service, contact a representative at (800) 444-5644, visit www.spectrumsurgical.com, or circle 132.

Convenient collection
Collecting specimens for laboratory analysis can be just a little easier with specimen collection products from Kendall. The company offers two lines of specimen containers for stool collection, sputum collection, and tissue grinding. One line contains leak-proof metal lids, which are said to be ideal for pneumatic tube transfer, while the plastic lid containers are the less expensive line. The disposable tissue grinder system comes ready to use in a sterile pouch. First, you insert the sample along the side of the tube. While holding the tube sideways, you insert the pestle, pushing the tissue to the bottom of the tube. Holding the tube through the protective sheath, you can grind up the sample before capping and storing it. The company says that the tissue grinder is completely disposable. One case includes 10 tissue grinders. For more information, call (800) 962-9888, visit www.kendallhq.com, or circle 133.

Virtual training
The STERIS Corporation is now offering a more convenient way to train staff to operate the STERIS System 1 low temperature sterilization system. Instead of sending staff to a two-day course in Mentor, Ohio, you can take advantage of the company's new Online Operator Training Program (OTP). The Online OTP is a web-based interactive course with nine modules that provides comprehensive training in the use and care of the System 1 for new operators; experienced operators may also want to use the program as a refresher course. This is how the program works: it is available to each trainee for a period of one year from the issuance of his or her "seat" in the virtual classroom. New purchasers of STERIS System 1 receive five seats at no charge; you may purchase additional seats at any time. Current system users can also purchase seats. A user can review the program as often as needed during the one-year duration of the seat. For more information call (440) 354-2600, visit www.steris.com, or circle 134.

An alternative to double gloving
For extra protection against glove punctures and tears, particularly during orthopedic procedures where surgeons might regularly practice double-gloving, consider the Anti-Stick Surgical Gimbel Glove, from Trademark Medical. These gloves are composed of two layers of natural rubber. At the fingertips, interposed between the rubber layers, are unique fingertip pads that are said to provide extra protection. The company claims that the gloves provide significantly more protection than double-gloving with latex gloves without compromising tactile sensitivity. The gloves are also said to exceed proposed FDA requirements for latex proteins (the standard is 1200 micrograms per gram; the gloves contain 28 micrograms per gram). They come in powdered and powder-free varieties in a variety of sizes. Once case, which contains 25 pairs of gloves, costs $249.50. For more information, call (800) 325-9044, visit www.trademarkmedical.com, or circle 135.