Sterile vs non-sterile gloves

We scored both types from 1 to 10 on six points. Non-sterile gloves average 7.7 and sterile gloves 7.0, and that gap means little, because each type wins the rows it was built for. The non sterile vs sterile gloves choice comes down to one question: does this procedure have to stay sterile?

If it does, nothing replaces a sterile pair, whatever it costs. If it does not, a sterile glove adds price and packaging and protects no one better. The World Health Organization's glove pyramid shows the split: sterile gloves sit at the narrow top, for surgery and a few invasive procedures. Exam gloves fill the wide middle.

This sheet compares sterile vs non sterile gloves on six points in three groups: is the glove right for the task, how does it work on the job, and what does it cost in money and packaging. A check means that type handles the point well, a dash means it gets by, and a cross means it is the wrong glove. Leak limits follow the FDA medical glove rules. The non-sterile prices are our own.

Sterile does not automatically mean a stronger glove. The FDA sets its minimum leak quality by glove type, under 21 CFR 800.20: 1.5 AQL for surgeon's gloves and 2.5 AQL for patient exam gloves, checked by filling gloves with 1,000 mL of water. A lower AQL is the stricter limit, and a sterile exam glove is held to the exam number. What sterility adds, per the FDA glove guidance, is a sterility assurance level of 1 in 1,000,000. So with sterile gloves vs non sterile gloves, you are paying for the sterilization and the sealed pack.

Sterile surgical gloves belong in the operating room. The FDA defines a surgeon's glove as one worn by operating room staff to protect a surgical wound, and its guidance says surgeon's gloves should be sterile when sold to hospitals, clinics and surgeons. The WHO adds vaginal delivery, invasive radiology, central lines and preparing IV nutrition or chemotherapy drugs. The CDC catheter guideline calls for sterile gloves when a urinary catheter goes in at a hospital, and accepts clean technique for long-term intermittent catheterization outside acute care. Sterile exam gloves exist too: FDA rules cover exam gloves sold sterile.

For the rest of patient care, non-sterile exam gloves are the standard. The WHO lists blood draws, IV starts, contact with mucous membranes or broken skin, and cleaning up body fluid spills as exam-glove jobs. Our medical collection has six non-sterile gloves: five nitrile from 3 to 5.5 mil and a Nitro-V hybrid. Chemotherapy drugs are a separate case. NIOSH calls for double chemotherapy gloves rated to the ASTM standard, ASTM D6978, for many hazardous drug tasks, and the FDA clears chemo gloves on permeation data from tests with the actual drugs. Before you buy chemo-rated medical gloves, check that the label says tested for use with chemotherapy drugs and names them. None of our current gloves carry that claim.

Sterile gloves do one job no other glove can, and you pay for it in money, time and packaging. Sterile nitrile gloves are there for anyone with a latex allergy: the FDA's categories include surgeon's gloves of synthetic rubber and nitrile exam gloves, and either can be sold sterile. Learning how to put on sterile gloves takes practice. The FDA says to wash your hands first, and the technique is built to keep bare skin off the outside of the glove, which is why clinics teach it hands-on.

Non-sterile gloves give up sterility and little else that routine care needs. Sold as exam gloves, they are still FDA-regulated medical devices. Our 3.5 mil blue exam grade nitrile is $61.95 for a case of 1,000, with textured fingertips and a beaded cuff. One limit is easy to miss. The WHO warns that gloves can spread germs when they are stored badly, so keep your boxes clean, dry and away from splashes.