One of the most significant practices in hospitals after the introduction of surgical asepsis was the use of surgical gloves. This practice is now part of surgical protocol in every corner of the world.
The story of surgical gloves is a truly heart-warming one! It began in 1890 when William Halsted, the chief surgeon at the prestigious John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA, faced a staff issue. The head nurse, Caroline Hampton, threatened to resign saying that the newly introduced disinfectants were burning her hands.
Halsted, who was fond of the nurse, approached the Goodyear Rubber Company to create rubber gloves which would protect her hands. It was soon found that the gloves were very effective in protecting both the staff and the patients as well. Before long other hospital staff began wearing them and the practice spread.
In an interesting development, Halsted and Caroline Hampton were married after this. Thus, the story of surgical gloves began as a gesture of love!
In the modern era, it is inconceivable for hospital staff to work without gloves. They are used for a variety of purposes, the latest being the Coronavirus outbreak. Today along with hospital staff, even the general public is wearing gloves as part of the fight against Covid-19.
Picture Credit : Google
