What Is Your Best Advice for Buying Surgical Gloves?

Go powder-free
Go powder-free with all gloves, both exam and sterile. If your staff has been together a while, many already have developed a powder sensitivity. By going powder-free, you'll avoid problems with these people, and keep others from developing a sensitivity. You'll cut down on staff dermatitis and have a happier, more comfortable crew.

Dennis Fowler, RN
Purchasing Agent
East Columbus Surgery Center
Columbus, Ohio
writeMail("dfowler@ecsc.md")

Get surgeon buy-in
Make sure you have surgeon buy-in first, or the gloves will not get used.

Standardize and stand firm
Standardize and do not waiver from that position. Otherwise, gloves will creep back into the system based on individual preference. Take a strong stance and hold the line.

Shop around
Despite the many stipulations placed on medical supply-purchasing programs, it still makes sense to look for the most cost-effective line of gloves that the majority of your employees can wear. And for those who have sensitive skin, look at powder-free gloves before you look at other more costly alternatives. Finally, ask yourself if the rebates or discounts your GPO's participants offer make them worthy of consideration.

Karen Gabbert, RN, BSN
Clinical Director
Surgery Center of Kansas
Wichita, Kan.
writeMail("karengabbert@koc-pa.com")

When to order specialty gloves
Have a variety of types and sizes. For a small OR department, you can cost-save by ordering only specialty gloves for specific cases of intolerance to the gloves that are widely used within the department.

Don't buy what you don't need
Only buy the size and styles used in the center. If, for example, only one doctor wears a type of glove, only buy that glove for him in that size. Introduce new gloves on the market to your staff and physicians - especially if they're less expensive. Listen to your vendors and make educated, sound decisions.

Beverly Kirchner, RN, BSN,
CNOR, CASC
President
Genesee Associates, Inc.
Lewisville, Texas
writeMail("bevkirchner@comcast.net")

Pick one and stick with one
We have saved money by partnering with one manufacturer, and using its line of gloves only.

Colleen J. Trask
Director of Perioperative Services
Greenville Hospital System
Greenville, S.C.
writeMail("ctrask@ghs.org")

Satisfy the big three
We looked at quality, safety and price. We trialed gloves from two different companies, and the one we chose satisfied all the criteria. Our staff and surgeons feel confident in these gloves.

Tom Baker
Materials Manager
North Colorado Surgery Center
Greeley, Colo.
writeMail("tbaker@ncosc.com")