Group to Develop Test Methods for Antimicrobial Medical Gloves
ASTM International
announced it has formed a new task group on antimicrobial medical gloves under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D11.40 on Consumer Rubber Products, which was scheduled to meet Dec. 8-11 in Miami Beach, Fla. The task group will work on developing standard test methods for these products. Glove suppliers, manufacturers and distributors; contract test labs; government agency representatives; and infection control practitioners are invited to participate in it.
The society said the group was formed in response to increased interest in standardization methods sparked by "the growing number and severity of healthcare association infections." Its announcement quoted Wava Truscott (phone 770-587-8805; wava.truscott@kcc.com) of Kimberly-Clark Healthcare, the leader of the new task group, and listed these topics to be addressed for development of the test methods:
- Defining critical test parameters
- Identifying appropriate test microorganisms
- Methods of challenge application
- Neutralization
- Calculating time to inactivation
- Ensuring incorporation of organic substances to represent blood, tissue, etc.
- Considering varying points of view from users, agencies, manufacturers, test labs, etc.
- Expiration dating: before opening and after opening box
Standards developed by the task group will allow for side-by-side comparisons of gloves for manufacturers, users, purchasers, and the FDA, the society said.