The second study showed that latex and some nitrile gloves could be disinfected with ethanol-based ABHR up to six times without any significant change in tensile strength. 5 Although the study was limited by a small sample size (ten gloves of each brand), the results indicated that glove integrity may be maintained well beyond six disinfection cycles. All brands of gloves were leak-free after 30 applications of ethanol-based hand sanitizer, and one brand of latex gloves was leak-free after 100 cycles of disinfection with 83% ethanol solution. Gloves were sourced from Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand. In the first study, researchers applied ethanol-based hand sanitizer to five brands of latex and nitrile gloves, rubbed and dried them, and filled them with an unspecified volume of water to check for leaks. The CDC cites two studies to support their extended use recommendations. 4 Since medical gloves are manufactured as single-use products, very few studies have investigated the impact of common sanitizing agents on their physical and mechanical integrity. 4 Re-use, in which gloves are taken off, disinfected, and then re-worn, is not recommended because the donning and doffing process increases the risk of tears. 4 Recommendations include extending the use of disposable medical gloves by using hand hygiene methods on gloved hands (without removing gloves) between patients or tasks, with up to six applications of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) or up to ten rounds of treatment with dilute bleach or soap and water. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published crisis capacity strategies for PPE conservation. In response to PPE shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. These shortages endanger HCWs as well as the patients they care for. 3 A survey of seven hospitals in Liberia during March-May 2020 found that gloves were never available in 43% of wards and were only rarely and intermittently available in 26% of wards (R. 2 A study conducted in April-May 2020 revealed that only 36% of physicians in Pakistan had access to medical gloves. 1 Manufacturers and supply chains have not kept up with demand, necessitating rationing and reuse of medical gloves as interim responses to the PPE shortage crisis. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) predicted that roughly 76 million medical gloves would be required each month to mount an adequate global response to the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the global supply chain for medical gloves. However, in both resource-limited and crisis-capacity situations, glove supplies may be insufficient to allow for the recommended single use for every patient. Medical examination gloves are an essential component of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers (HCWs).

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