Check out our listing of potential and actual users of SyDERMA®

Health care institutions would use SyDERMA® because of its antimicrobial action that helps provide additional protection against possible bacterial contamination in the event that latex gloves fail. In addition, there are many instances in the health care field where it is impossible or impractical to don latex gloves before providing treatment or service to a patient who might unknowingly be the source of possible cross contamination or cross infection. Significant among this group are first responders, Emergency Medical Service personnel and law enforcement officers in emergency situations where time may not permit that the recommended procedure of gloving be followed or where the presence of a latex glove might interfere with the administration of appropriate medical care. Many in the medical profession could use SyDERMA® in situations where multiple layers of latex gloves would limit their manual dexterity and compromise their sense of feel and freedom to perform necessary procedures. With the use of SyDERMA® and a single layer of latex gloves when applicable, the dexterity of the hands stay intact allowing the health care provider to be more efficient and comfortable in performing their tasks. Wearing only one set of gloves reduces the amount of skin perspiration, over heating, and fatigue, all of which could interfere with the performance of the medical personnel duties. Secondarily, but certainly not insignificant, hospital supply cost is greatly reduced when using SyDERMA® compared to multiple gloving or using special hypoallergenic gloves.

SyDERMA® can also aid in reducing the incidence of contact dermatitis among those who are sensitive to latex rubber or the powder often found in conventional latex gloves. The membrane formed by SyDERMA® prevents skin from coming in direct contact with the latex or powder, thereby reducing the possibility of a negative reaction of the skin to the irritant. Along with its skin protectant and antimicrobial action, the ingredients in SyDERMA® also have been used as skin moisturizers, thus providing an extra benefit for those with cracked or dry skin.

Some medical facilities in developing countries, because of economic conditions, find it necessary to utilize reusable gloves. A study performed by the University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, in 1988*, found that reusable gloves were both ineffective and dangerous.

This University of Iowa College of Medicine study demonstrated that reusing gloves diminished the structural integrity of the glove, thereby leading to a higher incidence of glove perforation and thus a greater possibility of glove leakage. The study further concluded that the possibility of cross contamination increased with the use of reusable gloves. For hospitals that are still forced to utilize reusable gloves, SyDERMA® can assist in reducing the hospital's incidence of cross contamination and cross infection as well as their overall cost concerns.

In areas of a hospital that do not routinely require the use of latex gloves, SyDERMA® provides an additional benefit to hospital staff that come in direct contact with numerous patients during their shift. The majority of staff nurses either are not required to wear gloves or choose not to wear them. Their job functions often place them in environments and situations where there is an increased possibility of exposure to environmental irritants or contaminants. Each compromised situation provides an exceptional potential for cross contamination or infection from bacteria transmitted by either the nurse, another patient, or other hospital personnel. The routine use of SyDERMA® in these environments and situations assist in reducing the possibility of the transfer of contamination from one person to another.

Other health care providers who often find themselves in compromised situations and can benefit from the use of SyDERMA® include surgeons and physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, chiropractors, podiatrists, physical therapists, food service providers, hazardous waste handlers, housekeepers, orderlies, and janitorial staff.

SyDERMA® is also useful to those whose hands come in daily contact with potentially irritating solution that either cause damage to the skin directly or make the skin vulnerable to damage in compromised situations. Material handlers, construction workers, restaurant workers, painters, housekeeping personnel, warehouse workers, retail personnel, currency handlers, bank personnel, and virtually anyone who comes in daily contact with the public are among those whose skin would benefit from the daily, consistent use of SyDERMA®.

*Doebbeling, B. N., M. A. Pfaller, A. K. Houston, & R. P. Wenzel, “Removal of Nosocomial Pathogens from the Contaminated Glove,” Annals of Internal Medicine, September 1, 1988, P. 394-397.