For Immediate Release
O.R. Nurses Agree Medline's Technologically Advanced Latex-Free Sensicare Gloves Actually Feel Better Than Their Current Latex Glove
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 —
Mundelein, Ill - Medline Industries Inc., the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies announced today that 76 percent of perioperative nurses surveyed say that Medline's technologically advanced Sensicare® polyisoprene latex-free surgical gloves with aloe actually feel better than their current latex glove. And an additional 23 percent thought the gloves felt equal to their current latex glove. The random survey of 1418 operating room nurses was taken last week at the Association of Perioperative Nurses annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.
"This is great news for perioperative nurses and surgeons who have been anxiously awaiting a latex-free glove that would afford them both the comfort and tactile sensitivity that they've had in a latex glove. We're delighted that so many people tell us that our Sensicare gloves feel even better than latex. With heightened concern over latex allergies, surgeons and perioperative professionals have been looking for protective alternatives. Sensicare will allow hospitals to go latex free without sacrificing the comfort and sensitivity that are so critical to surgery," said President of Medline's Gloves division Tripp Amdur.
According to OSHA, since 1987 the number of latex-allergies in healthcare workers has increased dramatically. This increase coincides with an increase in glove usage to protect workers from HIV and Hepatitis. The Centers for Disease Control reports that studies indicate 8 - 12 percent of healthcare workers are now at risk for latex-allergies. Among the general population the at-risk number is far less at between 1- 6 percent.
Isolex is a synthetic polyisoprene latex that is becoming the preferred material to replace natural rubber latex to eliminate the potential for exposure to life-threatening Type I allergic reaction in the medical device arena. Synthetic polyisoprene has the same molecular structure as natural rubber, but contains no natural rubber latex protein. In 2006, Medline tripled its production of Isolex to meet the growing demand for Sensicare surgical gloves.
About Medline
Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies and other markets. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.
Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 250 major hospitals and health care systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.
Medline has a growing network of 34 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 160 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers' specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.