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The COVID-19 Pandemic led to a strong increase in demand for medical products. At the same time, supply problems in international supply chains kicked in due to health policy interventions (e.g., lockdowns) and economic policy measures (e.g., export controls). Combined, both resulted in temporary shortages and triggered a controversial discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of globalised production structures, which led to strong dependencies on a few, primarily Asian, locations and producers. Against this background and based on case studies for Austria, the article deals with the question which factors determine the robustness of global commodity chains for respirators, protective gloves and respiratory equipment and which national and European policies could be suitable for increasing resilience in the supply of medical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevention of surgical site infections (SSI) can be realized most effectively with the so-called multibarrier strategy. Studies on compliance confirm the necessity to consistently implement the various evidence-based measures as a component of a complex strategy. The necessity of preoperative skin antisepsis as well as surgical drapes and surgical gloves is justified by a risk assessment as well as epidemiologically. Apart from surgical drapes additional protection can be achieved by skin sealing and antiseptic incision foil. On the basis of a literature assessment the value of the measures mentioned are analyzed and recommendations regarding the practical implementation are derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avoiding powdered latex gloves is generally accepted as being an important way for health service employees to avoid latex-linked allergies affecting the skin and respiratory tract. A questionnaire study was performed to test whether this preventive measure would also be adequate to prevent symptoms in employees with an existing allergy. Using a standardised questionnaire, 329 health service employees with occupational latex allergy were asked about their quality of life, periods without contact with allergens and symptoms related to allergens. At the time when the questionnaire was administered the symptoms were declining markedly. Powdered latex gloves were avoided by all subjects. Seventy-seven per cent of subjects with skin allergy and 68% of subjects with respiratory tract allergy had no allergic symptoms. We conclude therefore that avoiding latex gloves is also an effective preventive measure for insured subjects with existing latex allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the development of glove purchasing in all acute hospitals insured by the employers' liability insurance association for the health service and promotion of wellbeing (BGW) since the duty of substitution was introduced and since suspicion of occupational illnesses caused by allergies to natural latex became notifiable. A significant positive correlation was statistically documented between the use of powdered natural latex gloves and the number of cases in which an occupational illness attributable to natural latex allergy was notified. The results show that prevention by means of substitution of unpowdered gloves low in natural latex for powdered gloves with a high allergen content is of decisive importance. This simple countermeasure is easy to implement, and when it is consistently applied it significantly reduces the development of occupational allergies to natural latex and makes it possible for even sensitised members of staff to stay in their workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]