Sterile Gloves: Surgical, Nitrile, Latex & Exam Sterile Gloves

Sterile vs. Non-Sterile Gloves: The Difference Between Sterile and Non-Sterile Gloves

Sterile latex surgical gloves are better quality than non-sterile gloves. These gloves have proven their worth by means of rigorous testing, and are fit for use by surgeons and any other medical professionals assisting in high-risk procedures. 

What Makes a Glove be Considered Sterile?

For a glove to be considered sterile, it must meet FDA standards of sterilization and quality. 

Sterile gloves have a lower accepted quality limit (AQL) than non-sterile ones. According to the FDA, sterile surgical gloves can’t have an AQL above 1.5. After sterilization, the gloves are tested to make sure they fulfill criteria of the FDA sterility assurance level (SAL) for sterile gloves. 

What is AQL?

Accepted quality limit (AQL) represents the maximum number of defective gloves there can be per batch, beyond which a batch of gloves is rejected, and not considered sterile. For sterile surgical gloves to be considered so, as mentioned previously, they must have an AQL that’s between 1.0 and 1.5. A batch of gloves with an AQL of 1.0 will have a maximum of 1% of gloves that are defective, and a batch of gloves with an AQL of 1.5 will have a maximum of 1.5% defective gloves (gloves with pinholes). 

Sterile exam gloves can have an AQL of between 1.5 and 2.5 (in other words, 1.5% to 2.5% of glove samples can be defective).

Sterile Glove Technique: How to Put on Sterile Gloves

Here’s how to go about donning sterile gloves. 

1. Remove all hand jewelry (rings, bracelets, watches, etc). 
2. Apply soap to both hands, rub your hands together, and then wash hands thoroughly while rubbing your hands together for a minimum of 15 seconds. Make sure all areas of your hands were cleaned.
3. Apply antiseptic hand sanitizer to both hands, and let sit on hands for 15 seconds.
4. Carefully remove disposable sterile gloves from the packaging without touching the part of the packaging the gloves contact.
5. Put your hand into the glove. While doing so, make sure to only touch the inner surface of the glove.
6. Put on the second glove, without your gloved hand touching your skin as you do it.

Non-Latex Sterile Gloves: Sterile Nitrile Gloves

For those who cannot use sterile latex gloves, there are latex free sterile gloves comprised of nitrile. The Medline Sterile Nitrile Exam Gloves are one example, and there are other sterile nitrile exam glove options as well. Choose from our non-latex sterile glove options, and find the sterile nitrile surgical gloves or exam gloves that are best for you.

Where Can I Buy Sterile Gloves? 

Many people wonder where to buy sterile gloves at a reasonable price. The cost of sterile gloves is often reflective of their high quality. However, there are some sterile gloves that are better priced than others. Find sterile gloves for sale at great prices on AvaCare Medical. 

AvaCare Medical has a large assortment of sterile gloves from many different reputable brands. Whether it’s Biogel sterile gloves, sterile nitrile gloves, sterile latex gloves or any other brand or type, you can find it easily on AvaCare Medical. 

There’s no need to browse through an endless array of both sterile and non-sterile rubber gloves all dumped together; just skim through this carefully curated collection of sterile gloves only, and find what you need fast.