Knowledge Base
Learn about infection control practices and considerations.
Chemotherapy Gloves
Which gloves can be used when handling chemotherapy drugs?
Chemotherapy drugs are highly toxic and are increasingly used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer. Appropriate hand protection against chemotherapy drug exposure is vital, which is why gloves should be selected in accordance with the specific type of chemical used. Using a nitrile examination glove may be a good alternative for the handling of chemotherapy drugs, whereas a surgical glove made of natural rubber latex or synthetic polyisoprene latex is recommended for the preparation of chemotherapy drugs. In any case, gloves using ASTM D6978 to test for resistance against chemotherapy drugs should be chosen. Gloves should always be checked for damage before use. Moreover, double donning is recommended to increase protection.
What characteristics should I look for in a chemotherapy glove?
There are multiple issues to consider when choosing a glove for chemotherapy use. They include, but are not limited to:
- Choose chemotherapy qualified gloves.
- Choose powder-free gloves to reduce the potential for powder absorption and aerosolisation of chemotherapy drugs.
- Choose a glove that provides forearm protection.
- If single gloving, tuck the clean glove over the cuff of the gown.
Note: If double gloves are worn, one glove is inserted under the cuff and one glove goes over the cuff.
What are the recommendations related to glove use during chemotherapy drug preparation?
- Wear chemotherapy-approved gloves.
- PVC gloves are not recommended for handling chemotherapy drugs.
- Never used powdered gloves during drug preparation.
- Use double gloving unless it interferes with the drug preparation technique. A double layer of gloves is substantially less permeable to chemotherapy drugs.
- Change all gloves regularly (every 30 minutes) or immediately if they are torn or punctured.
- Always wash hands before and after glove use.
- Dispose used gloves according to proper hospital toxic waste procedures.
What are the recommendations related to glove use during chemotherapy drug administration?
- Wear chemotherapy-approved gloves.
- Double gloving is recommended.
- Wash hands before and after glove use.
- Change contaminated gloves immediately.
- Dispose used gloves according to proper hospital toxic waste procedures.
What are the recommendations related to glove use during chemotherapy drug clean up and general handling?
- Wear chemotherapy-approved gloves when dealing with blood, vomitus, excreta and other bodily fluids from chemotherapy treated patients.
- Wash hands before and immediately after glove use.
- Discard gloves after each use.
- Laundry personnel encountering linen possibly contaminated with chemotherapy or bodily fluids from a patient undergoing chemo treatment should wear chemotherapy-approved gloves.
- Spills should only be cleaned up by personnel wearing a double layer of chemotherapy-approved gloves.
- Spill kits for use in responding to spills should include two (2) pairs of chemo gloves.
- All personnel involved in any aspect of handling chemotherapy drugs should receive an orientation on chemotherapy drugs including proper use of protective equipment.
What is breakthrough time?
Breakthrough time is defined as the elapsed time between the initial contact of a chemotherapy drug with the outer surface of the glove and the point in time at which the permeation rate reaches 0.01 µg/cm2/min. When breakthrough occurs, the glove is no longer providing adequate protection against the tested chemotherapy drug. The longer the breakthrough time, the higher the permeation resistance against the challenge chemotherapy drug.
When should the chemotherapy glove be changed?
The breakthrough time stated is the maximum time the glove may be used before it should be discarded. If the work lasts for longer than the breakthrough time, the glove should be changed part way through. A safety margin should be observed since stretching of gloves during use may mean that breakthrough will occur more quickly than in a test environment.
Do not rely on touch to detect breakthrough. Skin exposure will occur long before any perceptible feeling of wetness on the inner glove surface.
