Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1543613
19 Executive Briefing 2 EXECUTIVE BRIEFING With surgical gloves, however, the materials that are used can make a significant difference in OR performance. W hile the market has largely shifted to latex-free solutions in response to concerns about allergies, glove polymer science continues to rapidly evolve. Just as mechanics and electricians use special tools to make their routine tasks easier, a wide range of specialty surgical gloves exist that offer support for OR staff and surgeons. Specialty gloves, for instance, including gloves produced by Ansell, are designed with OR staff in mind, enabling teams to perform complex procedures where tactile sensitivity and clinician safety are paramount. In contrast, robust gloves are available to address high trauma scenarios without compromising dexterity. Ansell's new GAMMEXTM PI Hybrid Micro gloves, for example, use a proprietary polyisoprene (PI) hybrid material that combines the comfort of PI with the durability of neoprene. These gloves are up to 24% thinner than standard non-latex surgical gloves, while maintaining the durability of a traditional standard thickness glove. As a result, these gloves offer surgeons greater tactile sensitivity and dexterity for delicate procedures in fields like ophthalmology, microsurgery and cardiovascular, where feel matters as much as visibility. This enhanced tactile feedback can increase a surgeon's precision and confidence in the OR, reducing variability, supporting consistency across surgical teams and improving outcomes from case to case. At the same time, the increased durability of GAMMEX PI Hybrid Micro gloves compared to traditional gloves means that healthcare organizations are able to reduce the number of gloves used. This drives both supply chain efficiency and cost savings for healthcare organizations. Ergonomics, Safety and Enterprise Risk Human factors are another key consideration when selecting the most clinically appropriate OR supplies. Thoughtfully designed surgical gloves can reduce the likelihood of work-related injuries from repetitive tasks. "For many products, Ansell goes a step further to support OR staff, incorporating certifications from organizations like United States Ergonomics," Mr. Hurdle said. "We offer glove designs that dramatically reduce hand muscle effort and extend the careers of surgeons who are experiencing discomfort and carpal tunnel syndrome." Ergonomically designed surgical gloves that preserve natural hand position can reduce hand fatigue and cognitive load, allowing clinicians to focus on critical decision-making related to patient care, rather than compensating for limitations in their PPE. OR supplies can also protect staff from workplace conditions that pose health risks. In certain settings, surgical gloves must be robust enough to withstand high trauma situations, as well as exposure to hazardous chemotherapy drugs. With the latter, it's critical for health systems to provide surgical gloves that are ASTM D6978 tested. Beyond immediate clinical protection, glove selection also intersects with enterprise risk management. Occupational exposure incidents, preventable injuries and product failures can carry regulatory, financial and reputational consequences. Workers' compensation claims, compliance scrutiny and avoidable staff turnover all represent downstream costs that extend far beyond the initial purchase price of a supply item. As health systems take a more comprehensive view of total cost of ownership, protective equipment decisions are increasingly evaluated in the context of long-term organizational resilience. Improving Outcomes Together As surgical teams face increasing complexity, tighter staffing and higher expectations around performance, clinician-centered design is becoming a defining priority in how health systems evaluate OR products. In practice, clinician-centered design means supplies are developed not just for cost efficiency, but around the realities of surgical workflows: tactile demands, fatigue reduction, safety requirements and specialty-specific needs. When clinicians are actively involved in product selection and feedback, health systems can reduce variability, strengthen adoption and ensure supplies enhance procedural consistency. Ultimately, this approach aligns procurement strategy with what matters most in the OR: supporting surgeons, protecting staff and delivering better patient outcomes case after case. Partnering with vendors that are committed to gathering surgical staff feedback can make clinician-center design easier to achieve. Ongoing clinician interactions form the foundation of Ansell's product development and deployment processes. Before and after products are launched, teams engage in thorough "voice of the customer" activities. As healthcare organizations rethink their approach to surgical supplies, a common theme is seeking solutions that will make a meaningful impact on performance, efficiency and clinician satisfaction. Suppliers like Ansell are differentiating themselves from the status quo by incorporating advanced technologies, meeting higher quality standards and focusing on the provider experience. The results are solutions that support the best healthcare outcomes and provide OR teams with the continuity needed to deliver unimpeded patient care. "When Ansell onboards a new facility to its surgical gloves, we use a proven evaluation process to gather clinical feedback, which is shared with key decision makers," Mr. Hurdle said. "This partnership ensures smooth transitions, employee satisfaction and optimal patient outcomes." Ansell is a global leader in safety solutions and an integrated manufacturer of personal protection equipment for healthcare and industrial workplaces. Each day, over 10 million workers in more than 100 countries trust their safety to Ansell brands such as HyFlex, Ringers, MICROFLEX, TouchNTuff, GAMMEX, and AlphaTec. Driven by a vision to lead the world to a safer future, the company continuously pursues new product and service innovations that predict, prevent, and protect against workplace risk while promoting sustainable sourcing and manufacturing.