Becker's ASC Review

62 Executive Briefing: Rebranding to HALYARD* and extending the surgical glove portfolio The most exciting news is that O&M is rebranding its MediChoice® surgical gloves to the HALYARD* brand, effective November 2021, and also expanding its surgical glove portfolio from five to eight styles. "O&M has over a half century of innovation in perioperative products, including market- leading surgical gowns and drapes, masks, and sterilization wrap. HALYARD* is the only brand of surgical gloves built on a legacy of operating room expertise and service. We really know this space. HALYARD* can now protect surgical teams all the way to their fingertips," said Ms. Gooden. HALYARD* Surgical Glove offerings are different "We will be offering a streamlined surgical glove portfolio, with a mix designed to meet the needs of a wide range of surgical teams and specialties, with consistent fit, comfort and protection for every procedure," Ms. Gooden said. The HALYARD* surgical glove portfolio will cover needs ranging from general surgery to high-risk procedures in orthopedic trauma and cardiac. The HALYARD* portfolio includes gloves in a range of different materials, including natural rubber latex but also the latest synthetic materials, such as polyisoprene and neoprene. "Having a synthetic portfolio is very important," Ms. Gooden noted, "because many facilities are converting from - natural rubber latex to synthetics due to risk of latex allergies." The HALYARD* portfolio also features a number of proprietary technologies. A technology called PI Care™ allows for the manufacturing of skin-friendly gloves. The SENSOPRENE™ technology makes neoprene gloves that are accelerator- free. And Derma Shield™ technology facilitates fast and easy donning with damp or dry hands. "These are all examples of proprietary technologies that we bring to the table," Ms. Gooden said. In addition, the HALYARD* glove portfolio includes exam and surgical gloves that have been tested for use with chemotherapy drugs. Through these technologies, O&M "delights surgical teams," Ms. Gooden said, "with gloves that provide easy donning, enhanced tactile sensitivity and comfort without compromising durability. From a quality standpoint, HALYARD* Surgical Gloves are high-performing," Ms. Gooden added. "We know that surgeons are under tremendous pressure and don't want to worry about their gloves. They just want gloves that fit and feel like a second skin. That's exactly what we bring to the table." Not all surgical and medical exam glove suppliers are the same "Surgical gloves are not a problem until your supplier cannot get them on your hands," Ms. Gooden said. "The threat of having to cancel surgeries [due to not having gloves] is a huge pain point. Surgical glove backorders can be catastrophic because operating rooms drive revenue for most hospitals and ASCs. That's why providers need suppliers they can rely on." However, many glove suppliers have encountered struggles amid the pandemic. "During the COVID-19 public health emergency, many suppliers have had issues maintaining supplies and service levels, and that is continuing today," Mr. Metcalf said. "The Owens & Minor team took many actions to ensure that healthcare providers had continued access to critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies, including medical exam gloves. The fact that HALYARD* is vertically integrated and manufactures most of its Halyard-branded product certainly helps." Coming through for customers during the pandemic is consistent with O&M's history. "In terms of supply," Mr. Metcalf said, "dependable service has always been a cornerstone. And this didn't change during the pandemic, where we strove to maintain customers at 100 percent of their historic usage, regardless of the numerous supply chain challenges that were faced." Beyond ensuring reliable supply, "it's very important in surgical gloves to deliver the right product at the right time in the right quantities," Ms. Gooden said. "Customers want a partner who can meet expectations, a partner who can come on site to deal with challenges and provide clinical support . . . We partner with our customers to provide clear communication and on-site support. We have a sales force that is credentialed, experienced and hospital-trained." Conclusion Because surgical gloves are essentially a surgical instrument, and because not all medical exam gloves are the same, "the focus should be on selecting the right glove for the right task," Mr. Metcalf said. "The key is understanding the task at hand." He summarized, "it's very important to choose the right glove, but it's also extremely important to choose the right glove supplier, since all gloves and all suppliers are not the same." n The HALYARD* brand, part of Owens & Minor's (NYSE: OMI) Global Products Division, provides a broad, best- in-class portfolio of solutions for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections across acute care and non- acute care settings around the globe. For more information, visit www.halyardhealth.com.

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