Surgical gloves are a staple of every hospital and operating theatre today, yet just over a century ago, surgeons and physicians tended to patients with their bare hands!
Before the late 1800s, medical gloves hadn’t been invented. This led to potentially serious problems, as their main purpose is to act as a barrier, preventing the transmission of diseases between staff and patients.
Surgery had a 50% mortality rate in the late 19th century, with post-operative infections causing the majority of deaths. Surgeons didn’t wear gloves and sometimes they didn’t even wash their hands between procedures either!
The dangers of transmitting bacteria and diseases through touch weren’t as well documented as they are today. In some hospitals, even basic hygiene practices weren’t carried out.
British surgeon Joseph Lister was the first person to use carbolic acid to sterilise surgical instruments. He invented the surgical asepsis procedure, also known as the sterile technique, in the 1860s to remove microorganisms. It is still used for surgical and sterile procedures today.
Who invented surgical gloves?
Surgical gloves were invented by the famous American surgeon Dr William Halsted of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, United States.
Initially, they were used to prevent skin irritation among hospital staff, who were exposed to harsh chemicals in the operating theatre. It was only later that their value in preventing the spread of diseases was realised.
A conscientious surgeon, who used a mixture of mercuric chloride and carbolic acid as a disinfectant; Halsted noticed that scrub nurse Caroline Hampton had red, itchy hands. She suffered from painful eczema and contact dermatitis due to the antiseptics used and she had to handle the chemicals daily.
Halsted contacted Goodyear Rubber Company and asked them to make bespoke rubber gloves for her. They were described as being “thin with gauntlets”.
When did surgeons first wear rubber gloves?
The new rubber gloves proved so satisfactory when Hampton first wore them in 1889 that extra pairs were ordered for the surgeons and other staff in the operating theatre.
Halsted and Hampton married in June 1890, by which time surgical gloves had become commonplace at many hospitals. Combined with the use of the surgical asepsis procedure, this led to a dramatic fall in the death rate of surgical patients from 50% to 15% in the late 19th century.
Progress of the modern surgical glove
By the early 20th century, all surgeons were wearing sterile rubber gloves, after their importance in preventing infection was realised. They entered into general surgical practice all over the world, proving to be of great importance in the development of asepsis surgical work.
The first disposable latex surgical gloves were manufactured in 1964 by the Ansell Rubber company. Sterilised using gamma irradiation; following surgery, they were disposed of. This is now the standard procedure in operating theatres.
Many surgeons also “double glove” when performing operations to reduce the danger of spreading infection from glove puncture.
Talcum powder was introduced in the early 20th century to make it easier to put the gloves on. This was common practice for decades. However, in recent years, research has linked it to post-operative scars and inflammation, so powdered gloves were banned in December 2016.
Another recent development is the use of latex free gloves, as the constant wearing of latex gloves was causing allergies among some medical professionals and patients.
Have surgical gloves improved hygiene practices today?
Today, medical gloves are worn by health sector employees in many different departments, as well as those working in the operating theatre. This includes doctors and nurses, who wear disposable gloves to protect themselves and patients from the spread of bacteria, germs and viruses.
Wearing gloves provides protection against potential contaminants on hands and surfaces, as well as being convenient when staff are carrying out multiple tasks that require frequent glove changes.
People with sensitive skin can choose nitrile gloves, made from synthetic rubber. Unlike natural rubber, nitrile doesn’t contain any latex, so it’s ideal for employees with allergies. It provides good puncture resistance and barrier protection.
Disposable nitrile gloves are also available, so they can be used in the same environments as disposable latex gloves.
Surgical gloves and medical examination gloves serve distinct purposes and as such must be compliant to different standards.
Surgical gloves are sterile and meet the highest quality standards. They also have a more precise sizing range.
Medical examination gloves are used to prevent contamination between health workers, caregivers and patients. They are used during procedures such as taking a blood test, where sterile conditions are unnecessary.
Some medical gloves also protect the wearer from potential skin irritation caused by chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Today’s healthcare sector should be thankful Dr William Halsted provided his future wife, Caroline Hampton, with custom-made medical gloves more than 120 years ago, as this small act of kindness launched the surgical revolution that transformed medicine.
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