Medical glove with stethoscope protection

Abstract

A medical glove is provided for protection against the transmission of infectious agents. The glove comprises a glove body sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand. The glove body has a palm portion and adjoining finger portions. An integral webbing extends between two of the finger portions. The webbing is sized to receive a stethoscope head between the finger portions when the finger portions are separated. The glove is formed of an acoustically transmissive elastomeric material that is substantially non-porous and sufficiently thin to allow tactile sensitivity and dexterity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to medical gloves, and more particularly, to medical gloves that can be used to protect stethoscopes against the transmission of infectious agents.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]In the medical field, transmission of infectious agents and other contaminants is an ongoing concern. This issue has once again been pushed to the forefront with the incidence of nosocomial infections and antibiotic-resistant organisms, such as methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).[0003]To address the spread of infectious diseases in health care settings, hospitals have adopted sets of guidelines and best practices. For example, hospitals have implemented a set of “Universal Precautions” published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) which includes precautions to minimize risk of infection with HIV by guarding against contact with blood and certain other bodily fluids known to carry HIV. Hospitals also have adopted “Body Substance I...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]According to one embodiment, a medical glove is provided for protection against the transmission of infectious agents. The glove comprises a glove body sized to tightly enclose a wearer's hand. The glove body has a palm portion and adjoining finger portions. An integral webbing extends between two of t

Problems solved by technology

However, despite these precautions, it has been found that health care workers are the primary cause for patient-to-patient transmission of nosocomial and antibiotic-resistant infections.

The use of stethoscopes, in particular, is one area that has not been adequately addressed.

However, this practice is not followed with great enough frequency in between each patient, and it is rare that the entire stethoscope is adequately sterilized.

However, all of these protective stethoscope covers and shields have failed to gain acceptance for one reason or another, most often due to the additional effort required for application and removal, a lack of time, or simply general inconvenience.

Because stethoscope heads come in a variety of designs and sizes, it would not be practical to stock the many different versions of the Plourde type cover that would be required to fit the variety of stethoscopes used by healthcare workers in a hospital.

However, the health care worker is still required to spend additional time and effort when applying the cover, thereby causing additional inconvenience.

These covers may also be more versatile and easier to apply than Plourde type covers, but the bags do not offer a good fit around the stethoscope head.

The loose fit may interfere with the sound transmitted to the stethoscope and may be uncomfortable against the patient's skin.

Furthermore, the health care worker is still required to spend additional time and effort when applying the cover, thereby causing additional inconvenience.

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