Gleser 2018.
Methods | Simulation study, Quasi‐randomised study based on alternation How was the simulation performed? A volunteer health care professional donned appropriate sized glove and then wetted each hand with fluorescent solution and distributed this solution equally on the glove's surfaces to simulate an external glove contamination. Immediately thereafter, the volunteer removed their gloves, and their hands were then examined using a UV Box (Hand Hygeine Teaching Box "Sharing Expertise; B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany) How was the exposure simulated? 5 mL of a fluorescent solution (Schűlke Optics Training fluorescent lotion; Schűlke & Mayr GmbH, Vienna, Austria) on each hand |
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Participants | N = 317 (˜70% female) volunteer healthcare workers on 35 hospital wards in a tertiary care university hospital. intervention: N = 146 (104 nurses, 53 physicians) control: N = 171 (118 nurses, 53 physicians) |
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Interventions | Intervention: Doffy glove, modified nitrile gloves with a textured small flap (doffing aid) above the thumb area positioned laterally on the wrist when worn that can be gripped during glove removal Control: Standard nitrile medical examination gloves made according to the same material formulation and manufacturing process by the same company on behalf of IP Gloves GmbH |
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Outcomes | Contamination: Any visible fluorescence on the volunteer's skin | |
Notes | Location: Germany; No funding or conflict of interest reported, however first author is also CEO of the start‐up that developed and market the new types of gloves. | |
Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | High risk | "Participants were randomised for the use of either standard gloves or Doffy Gloves on an alternate daily basis" Quasi‐randomisation; big difference in number in intervention or control group |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | No description provided |
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | Low risk | Study could not be blinded but unlikely that participants could have influenced the outcome which was assessed by observers. |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | High risk | Assessors of contamination were aware of which glove was used and subjective assessment |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Low risk | no missing data reported |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | High risk | No study protocol provided |
Other bias | High risk | Authors have a big financial interest in a positive evaluation of their new product |