Wearing disposable gloves has become a common use. Professionals of various industries like healthcare and dentistry also in food services use these. Providing protective barrier gloves helps to safeguard both the wearer and those around them from contamination and accidents also injuries.
But not all surgical glove suppliers create gloves equally that are designed for every purpose. Different gloves serve different purposes. There are many different gloves options you have to choose from. It will be based on the application and materials with a purpose.
You might be curious about the differences between these two types of disposable gloves. Especially if you are browsing for gloves from different medical equipment wholesalers. But what do they mean?
Let’s differentiate and discuss sterile vs non-sterile gloves in this guide.
Both have a place in medical procedures and patient care but have some distinct differences. But before diving into the differences you will need to understand the basics of these two.
Sterile Gloves
These disposable gloves have been subjected to a careful sterilization process enforced by FDA.
Medical-grade gloves are required for both the medical and dental industries. The goal of surgical glove suppliers is to minimize the risk of infection and contamination.
These gloves are carefully made to meet firm cleanliness standards typically used in medical settings and laboratories.
Non – Sterile Gloves
Medical equipment wholesalers make non-sterile or clean gloves from the same materials as sterile surgical gloves. Available in latex and vinyl also in nitrile these do not offer the same level of protection as sterile gloves.
Difference between Sterile and Non-Sterile Gloves
Looking for gloves? Chances are you will have seen the terms sterile and non-sterile in the process. The particular differences between these two are crucial especially when it comes to healthcare settings. But what is the difference?
- Medical Uses
Medical uses of these two gloves are different.
- Sterile Gloves
Sterile gloves protect medical personnel and their patients. They are indispensable during
- surgical procedure
- wound care
- Situations where preventing contamination is important.
Here are examples of where medical gloves are generally used in the medical and dental field:
- Oral and endodontic surgeries
- Performing dialysis
- Delivering babies
- Changing and applying dressings for operations or surgical wounds
- Inserting central intravenous lines or care
- Holding sterile surgical equipment and tools
- Chemotherapy.
- Non Sterile Gloves
Non-sterile gloves are the same as sterile surgical gloves. The only difference is the high-level sterilization process of sterile medical gloves.
Clean gloves can be used as long as the wearer is not exposed to any
- biological risks
- Bodily fluids
- Wastes and other fluids.
Industrial grade non-sterile gloves can be used for procedures like:
- General dental procedures
- Giving injections
- Providing oral medications
- Taking pulse or blood pressure
- Removing and replacing linens’
- Inserting and removing IVs
- Dressing healing wounds.
- Pricing
When it comes to pricing between sterile and non-sterile gloves- sterile will almost always be more expensive.
Sterile gloves take a longer time with added steps and processes that cost both time and money later reflected in the price.
Non-sterile gloves are more cost-friendly than sterile gloves. But they never be used to replace sterile gloves in a sterile environment.
- Packaging
Individual-wrapped packaging is one of the fastest ways to know your gloves are sterile. To maintain their sterility these specific types will always be packaged individually and handled with care.
Non-sterile gloves are often packaged and sold in bulk containers, unlike sterile gloves. They do not need to be stored in individual packaging.
- Advantages
Sterile gloves offer a superior level of sterilization making the procedure safer for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Sterile medical-grade gloves notably reduce the chances of infection during patient care.
Non-sterile gloves can be used for non-surgical processes and operations. These are more affordable than sterile medical gloves.
- Disadvantages
Expensive sterile gloves can quickly raise your costs. It can happen especially when using multiple pairs per day.
Sterile gloves are essential in many scenarios but they are less versatile when it comes to everyday tasks.
Non-sterile gloves cannot be used in a germ-free environment and they pose a higher risk of contamination.
- Production Process
The production process of these two gloves is very different from each other.
To produce and manufacture sterile surgical gloves these should be exposed to gamma waves. This is to ensure all the sterile gloves are free from dangerous bacteria and germs.
Manufacturers of non-sterile are not sterilized or do not undergo any high-level sterilization process during production. But it does not mean your sterile glove is not clean. These gloves also have to pass the FDA’s standard assurance.
Key Takeaways
Made by surgical glove suppliers sterile medical gloves have a specific spectrum of usage. Sterile gloves are not used anywhere else beyond the medical and surgical fields.
On the other hand, made by medical equipment wholesalers non-sterile disposable gloves are much cheaper due to easier packaging and transporting systems.
The key difference between these two disposable gloves is their intended use and level of sterility.
It is important to select the appropriate type of glove based on the specific needs of your task or applications to ensure safety and hygiene.
