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November '07
Ansell Healthcare Offers Healthcare Practitioners Precautions for Staph Infection
Prevention
Hand-Washing, Gloving, Eye-Face Protection and Barrier-Protection All Critical
Red Bank, NJ - For Immediate Release - Ansell Limited (“Ansell
Healthcare”), a global leader in barrier protective healthcare products, advises
healthcare practitioners and other medical personnel they should take the following
precautions to prevent contacting or spreading methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA), the bacterium invulnerable to first-line antibiotics that can cause
life-threatening infections.1
When in doubt, healthcare personnel should always follow the standard precautions
developed by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).2
1. Hand-Washing
- Wash hands immediately after gloves are removed, between patient contacts, and when
otherwise indicated in order to avoid transfer of microorganisms to other patients
or environments.
2. Gloves
- Wear gloves manufactured with proper barrier protection materials when touching
blood, body fluid, secretions, excretions and contaminated items; put on clean gloves
just before touching mucous membranes and non-intact skin.
- Change gloves between tasks and procedures on the same patient after contact with
material that may contain a high concentration of microorganisms.
- Remove gloves promptly after use, before touching non-contaminated items and environmental
surfaces, and before going to another patient. Wash hands immediately to avoid transfer
of microorganisms to other patients or environments.
3. Masks, eye protection and face shields
- Wear a standard surgical mask and eye protection or a face shield to protect mucous
membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth during procedures and activities that are
likely to generate splashes or sprays.
4. Gowns
- Wear a gown that is appropriate to the task, to protect skin and prevent soiling
or contamination of clothing during procedures and patient-care activities when
contact with blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions is anticipated.1
According to Ansell, the only way to initiate a decrease in communicable infections
is to utilize both hand-washing and medical glove donning
in the proper manner.
Ansell’s premium line of surgical gloves feature its patent-pending SureFit™
technology designed to prevent cuff-roll down on the gown and provide surgeons,
nurses and other healthcare professionals with superior protection during medical
procedures. Offered through the Ansell premium examination line, the Micro-Touch®
Nitrile E.P.® and E.P.® gloves have an extended, 12-inch cuff
that provides extra protection over the wrist and arm in high-risk clinical settings.
Although not required by the FDA, Ansell’s premium surgical and examination gloves
also are tested to ensure protection against viral permeation. (ASTM F1671 and F1670).
Ansell reminds healthcare practitioners that, whether for surgery or an examination,
medical glove selection is very important. Now more than ever, healthcare professionals
need to heavily consider the barrier requirement related to the procedure or task
at-hand, and the level of exposure risk that the patient-care activities will require.
Procedures involving exposure to infectious material require a glove that provides
appropriate barrier protection. The glove should also fit well around one’s wrist.
The CDC recommends that gloves fit the user’s hand comfortably, and not be too loose
or too tight. The glove should not rip, tear, or damage easily.
If these and the above guidelines are followed, medical personnel will be able to
provide the best protection for both healthcare practitioners and patients alike.
For more information regarding how to pick the right glove for the right task, visit
www.ansellhealthcare.com.
About Ansell
With its regional headquarters located in Red Bank, New Jersey, Ansell
Limited (“Ansell”) is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products.
With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000
people worldwide and holds leading positions in the natural latex and synthetic
polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell operates in three main business segments:
Occupational Healthcare, supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional
Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare professionals;
and Consumer Healthcare, supplying sexual health products and consumer hand protection.
Information on Ansell and its products may be found at
www.ansellhealthcare.com or by calling 800.952.9916.
For more information, contact:
Diego Rodriguez
Ansell Healthcare Products LLC
732.345.5974
drodrigeuz@ansell.com
Christopher G. Bacey
SGW/Compass PR
973.263.5181
cbacey@sgw.com
# # #
Ansell Healthcare Introduces Derma Prene®
IsoTouch™ Surgical Gloves
Non-Latex, Synthetic Polyisoprene Gloves Deliver Natural Rubber Latex Performance
without Allergy Risks
Red Bank, NJ - For Release Nov. 1, 2007 - Ansell Limited (“Ansell
Healthcare”), a global leader in barrier protective healthcare products, introduces
Derma Prene® IsoTouch™ powder-free, non-latex surgical gloves made from synthetic
polyisoprene, which deliver the performance of natural rubber latex without the
risks of natural rubber sensitization. Providing maximum barrier protection, comfort
and excellent tactile sensitivity, Derma Prene® IsoTouch™ brings the key features
needed by surgeons and OR professionals into a single glove.
“Because of allergy concerns, a growing number of healthcare facilities have limited
or eliminated latex products, including gloves,” said John Denison, Ansell Healthcare
surgical product manager. “Polyisoprene gloves are recommended as an alternative
to natural rubber latex because of their similarity to latex with respect to fit,
feel and comfort. Once again, Ansell responds to the needs of those healthcare professionals
and patients with latex allergies for a glove that delivers the performance and
protection of natural rubber latex, without the risk of latex sensitization.”
Derma Prene® IsoTouch™ provides surgeons with premium infection control to ensure
protection against viral permeation. Although not required by the FDA, the surgical
gloves have passed viral penetration tests according to ASTM International F1671
and F1670 standards. They feature Ansell’s patent-pending SureFit™ technology, which
prevents cuff roll-down, and SureFit™ technology provides surgeons, nurses and other
healthcare professionals with superior barrier protection during operating room
procedures. The Derma Prene® IsoTouch™ gloves also provide a protective barrier
for handling bone cement products (as long as bone-cement preparation and usage
directions are followed correctly).
Ansell has designed Derma Prene® IsoTouch™ gloves for superior comfort and fit.
Their enhanced polymer coating offers easy dry and damp-hand donnability, while
the design and thickness allow for easy and comfortable double-gloving. The gloves
are produced on new, ergonomically-designed formers to enhance fit and comfort and
reduce hand fatigue and stress. Plus, wearers experience a more secure fit that
provides improved comfort without bagginess, thanks to its non-latex polyisoprene
material. Also, Ansell’s proprietary polyurethane inner coating will not break down,
and it resists alcohol-based disinfectants.
A new addition to Ansell’s Derma Prene® glove line, Derma Prene® IsoTouch™ gloves
are light green for instant identification as free of natural rubber latex and reduce
confusion as well as risk to both healthcare workers and patients with sensitive
skin. Made of 100 percent synthetic polyisoprene, they are safe for latex-sensitive
healthcare professionals and patients (Type I allergies).
Derma Prene® IsoTouch™ gloves will be available in January 2008.
Derma Prene® Ultra Now Features Beaded Cuff
Ansell’s Derma Prene® Ultra surgical glove is powder-free and made from latex-free
neoprene. It’s safe for latex-sensitive (Type I) and chemical-sensitive (Type IV)
healthcare professionals and patients. Derma Prene® Ultra features an “accelerator-free”
formulation that eliminates chemicals (thiurams, MBTs or carbamates) in the manufacturing
process known to contribute to Type IV allergies.
The glove is approximately 12 inches long and has a beaded cuff and SureFit™ technology
for extra coverage and protection on the forearm, and to maintain the glove’s position
on surgical gowns. Derma Prene® Ultra is dark green for instant identification as
free from natural rubber latex.
About Ansell
With its regional headquarters located in Red Bank, New Jersey, Ansell
Limited (“Ansell”) is a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products.
With operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Ansell employs more than 11,000
people worldwide and holds leading positions in the natural latex and synthetic
polymer glove and condom markets. Ansell operates in three main business segments:
Occupational Healthcare, supplying hand protection to the industrial market; Professional
Healthcare, supplying surgical and examination gloves to healthcare professionals;
and Consumer Healthcare, supplying sexual health products and consumer hand protection.
Information on Ansell and its products may be found at
www.ansellhealthcare.com or by calling 800.952.9916.
For more information, contact:
John Denison
Surgical product manager
Ansell Healthcare Products LLC
732.345.2118
jdenison@ansell.com
Christopher G. Bacey
SGW/Compass PR
973.263.5181
cbacey@sgw.com
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