Medline Introduces First Surgical Gloves Containing Aloe Vera

MUNDELEIN, Ill. -- Medline Industries, Inc. has introduced the first surgical glove coated on the inside with aloe vera, a substance that helps moisturize and soften the skin. Medline's exclusive Aloetouch surgical glove was developed to help gently moisturize and soothe health care professionals' hands and at the same time provide unparalleled protection.

Aloetouch surgical gloves are an extension of the Aloetouch exam glove introduced three years ago to moisturize dried, chapped skin associated with frequent glove changes and hand washing. Today, Aloetouch is one of the fastest growing exam gloves in the health care industry with more than 1 million gloves worn everyday.

"Aloetouch surgical gloves were designed with the same concerns in mind, but these problems can be magnified because surgical gloves are worn for longer periods of time," said James Spann, president of Medline's Operating Room division. "The response we have gotten from clinicians and other health care workers on the soothing effect of the exam gloves has been overwhelming and that is why we expanded this technology to develop a full line of Aloetouch surgical gloves."

Made from a patented manufacturing process, Aloetouch surgical gloves start with aloe vera, the same substance used in premium skin care products. The aloe is applied to the entire interior surface of the glove, then dried. As the worker wears the glove, body heat activates the aloe, coating the hands in a concentration of aloe vera.

Following are other key features of the Aloetouch surgical glove:

-- Powder-free

-- Low protein - less risk of latex sensitization

-- Interior coating of state-of-the-art polymer - allows for easy donning

and smooth double gloving with both dry/damp hands

-- Non-chlorinated - prevents slipperiness, short shelf life, yellowing

and film degrading

-- Curved finger design - helps reduce hand fatigue

-- Excellent grip

-- Beaded cuff - helps prevent rolldown and tearing when donning the

gloves

-- Effective barrier to bloodborne pathogens

Aloetouch surgical gloves come in the following versions:

-- powder-free, latex

-- powder-free, latex, microthin for procedures requiring extra tactile

sensitivity

-- powder-free, latex orthopedic - provide extra strength without

sacrificing fit, feel and comfort.

-- powder-free, latex-free - eliminates the harmful effects of latex

proteins

Aloe comes from the aloe vera plant and has for centuries been used to moisturize and soothe dry, chapped skin. Extensive research indicates that aloe enhances skin hydration and softens the skin.

All Medline surgical gloves are manufactured to conform to FDA-mandated good manufacturing practices (GMP), and are inspected to standards even higher than FDA requirements. Having the ISO 9000 registration means Medline meets the most stringent international standards for producing quality products. As a leading supplier of quality products, Medline is asked to serve on major industry quality committees to develop guidelines and standards for medical product use. Some of these organizations include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).

Medline was founded in 1966 but the company's roots in healthcare date back to 1910 when it was a garment manufacturer. Medline is the leading direct supplier of medical products and equipment to the healthcare industry. Based on sales of $1.5 billion in 2002, Medline is the largest privately held national manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies in the United States. The company has more than 650 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services. Medline distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, hospital laundries, home care dealers and agencies and other alternate site markets from its 27 distribution centers in the U.S. With five manufacturing facilities in North America, Medline manufactures many of the products it sells.

Source: Medline Industries, Inc.