In the medical industry , various substances are useful for treating patients. But they can also be dangerous or a risk to personnel who use them.
One example of a very important yet potentially dangerous substance is fentanyl. Now, it's ideal for treating severe pain. But this substance needs to be used with the right protective measures.
As a healthcare staff member, you might be wondering just how your business can protect against fentanyl . You might also want to know more about this substance or have asked yourself, 'Just what is fentanyl?' It's with answers to these questions that you can use this substance safely when you treat patients and stay protected. So, if you need more facts about fentanyl and how you can protect against it, continue reading our article, in which we'll cover these issues in detail!
What is Fentanyl?
In terms of what fentanyl is, this is one of the opioid analgesics and synthetic opioids that medical personnel can use to treat patients who are experiencing extreme pain. For instance, medical personnel administer the substance following a surgical procedure - and it's similar to other opioids like morphine - yet fentanyl's potency is higher. It's between 50 and 100 times more potent than morphine.
Though this is a prescription drug, it is also created illegally and distributed by drug dealers and has led to a large number of overdose deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 71,238 deaths related to fentanyl overdoses and substance use disorder happened in 2021. Most overdoses occur in individuals aged between 18 and 45.
There's also a high level of concern related to 'rainbow fentanyl', which are pills or opioids in a powder form that many teens ingest. Since it's addictive, it can lead to dependence on the drug as well as serious health risks.
In What Ways Does Fentanyl Affect the Body?
As an analgesic that acts on the opioid receptors, fentanyl works by binding to them, and this can really affect emotions and energy levels. It can, for example, cause extreme happiness, drowsiness, and sedation. It can also cause respiratory depression, so it's a powerful and potentially dangerous substance.
Who's at Risk of Fentanyl Exposure?
As mentioned earlier, healthcare personnel are at risk of fentanyl exposure. So, nurses and physicians, therapists and phlebotomists, pharmacists and nursing assistants can potentially be affected by this substance when they treat patients.
Of course, it can affect these types of personnel due to different types of exposure, which might include fentanyl powder inhalation, mucus membrane contact with fentanyl, or exposure that occurs through a break in the skin. And as stated, this can lead to various symptoms, such as life-threatening respiratory depression.
Now, if it contacts the skin briefly, healthcare personnel or individuals working in the medical industry might not experience toxic effects if they remove any of the substances effectively - and if the exposure to liquid fentanyl is brief, this might be less of a problem. But it's still essential to protect yourself against exposure to this substance.
Actions to Take if Exposed to Fentanyl
In the event your skin is exposed to fentanyl, you'll need to avoid touching your face, nose or eyes. You should also avoid touching other surfaces, as this can lead to cross-contamination.
Instead, you'll need to wash the area using water and soap, instantly. It's not a good idea to use alcohol-based sanitizers or bleach in this case because they are ineffective at washing away the opioids. In fact, these sanitizers can even enhance the skin absorption of the fentanyl substance.
Protecting Against Fentanyl Exposure: 5 Top Fentanyl Protection Gloves
Some of the best ways to protect yourself against fentanyl exposure are with a few specific products, and these include a range of fentanyl protection gloves. If you've been looking for gloves that will keep your skin protected when administering fentanyl, check the selection we offer at BuyDirect, listed below!
#1 Blue 4 Mil Exam Gloves (Small)
If you're a nurse administering fentanyl following a patient exam, you're going to need to keep your hands covered during the process. You'll need products that cover your hands, solutions that are comfortable and secure, and also offer a dependable grip, such as the Ammex Blue 4 Mil Nitrile PF Exam Gloves (small size) .
Options such as these are exam grade in terms of their quality and offer a reliable, consistent barrier against a range of substances and bodily fluids. They offer a comfortable, dexterous grip and have been tested to determine their permeation resistance against fentanyl for a duration of 240 minutes.
#2 Black 6 Mil Exam Gloves
As a medical professional handling fentanyl, you may want more robust protection against chemicals and contaminants. You'll need a set of gloves that are practical and comfortable, and designed for medical use. One example is the medium Ammex Gloveworks Black 6 Mil Exam Gloves , which are designed for these purposes.
What's ideal about options such as these is the textured fingertips they offer, which nurses and medical professionals can benefit from thanks to the enhanced surface grip they provide. They are also tested to review their quality and ability to resist fentanyl permeation in a 240-minute duration test and meet the acceptable quality level (AQL) standards.
#3 Black 4 Mil Exam Gloves
If you're running a healthcare center that requires you to interact with patients and members of the public, you'll need to ensure your staff can protect themselves with high-quality gloves. If your personnel are using fentanyl for treating patients, you will need to ensure the gloves cover their hands very securely, and getting the correct sizes is important.
This requires specific solutions like the Ammex Black 4 Mil Exam Gloves , which offer 100 small gloves in the box. They undergo a 240-minute duration fentanyl permeation test, and are quality tested, so they meet the AQL standards.
#4 Black 6 Mil XXL Exam Gloves
Medical professionals with large hands may require specific glove products to protect their skin from fentanyl when administering it to patients. You'll want to ensure the gloves are resistant to fentanyl penetration and are the correct size for larger hands, which is where the Ammex Black 6 Mil XXL Exam Gloves are ideal.
These gloves, like the range described above, have been tested for fentanyl penetration resistance for a 240-minute duration and will keep your skin protected. Their size is extra extra-large, so they will fit larger hands comfortably.
#5 Blue 4 Mil Exam Gloves (Medium)
Healthcare workers using fentanyl for treating patients might also need gloves that have a specific thickness and size to protect them against contamination. If you have medium-sized hands, the medium Blue 4 Mil Exam Gloves are one ideal choice.
The 6-mil thickness means they are 0.004 inches thick, so they are comfortable to wear and offer a good grip. They are also quality-checked for their fentanyl protection capabilities in a 240-minute test and exceed the AQL standards.
Protect Your Business Against Fentanyl with High-Grade Fentanyl Protection Gloves
Substances like fentanyl are ideal for offering pain relief after surgical procedures, but they can be dangerous in many ways. If you're a healthcare center owner or an employee, it's essential to protect your business against fentanyl with high-grade fentanyl protection gloves.
The best, tested options are all available at BuyDirect! We stock a large range that are all excellent quality. Shop high-quality, tested fentanyl protection gloves at BuyDirect - treat patients and protect your skin effortlessly.
FAQs
Get additional facts about fentanyl protection gloves and fentanyl below to make an informed purchase!
Why Do Nitrile Gloves Say 'Fentanyl Tested'?
This is to demonstrate that they offer a high level of protection against even a very small exposure to fentanyl and is found on these products due to the increase in accidental fentanyl overdoses. This label means the gloves have passed a test and are allowed to be sold since they offer reliable and consistent results.
What Gloves Protect from Fentanyl?
These include nitrile gloves, which the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) highly recommends, especially when medical professionals come into contact with fentanyl or other types of illicit drugs. You'll find a range of fentanyl-resistant nitrile gloves at BuyDirect.
What is the Proper PPE for Fentanyl?
This includes nitrile gloves, but also extends to N95 dust masks as well as the appropriate eye protection. This range is regarded as the minimum amount of protective equipment needed when handling fentanyl compounds. In the event of greater exposure, higher levels of personal protective equipment will be needed.