FDA: Wave Goodbye to Powdered Exam Gloves

We told you months ago the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was assessing the viability and wisdom of banning use of powdered gloves in operating rooms and, more applicable to urgent care operators and clinicians, exam rooms. Now the agency says it has gathered sufficient evidence to publish a final rule banning the gloves, as well as absorbable powder for lubricating rubber gloves, due to “present an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury. The ban, effective as of January 18, 2017, covers not only sale of the gloves, but use of gloves that are already in the hands of the end user (ie, urgent care centers and other healthcare facilities).