AIDS: Running Out Of Gloves

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Latex examining gloves are a common feature of health care. But fear of AIDS infection has produced a side effect: more doctors, dentists and nurses than ever are using gloves, and some have become so cautious that they change pairs several times with a single patient. The result: a surge in demand, a doubling of prices and a growing shortage of gloves.

Consumption of gloves has quadrupled at some hospitals in the past year. In turn, manufacturers have difficulty meeting their contracts and are scrambling to increase output. Says John Strong, president of Health Care Materials Corp.: "Hospitals are within two to three days of not being able to do certain procedures." Industry sources say an element of hysteria has led some hospital employees who have no direct patient contact, like maintenance workers, to begin wearing gloves on the job. Other health-care workers are "double gloving" and in some cases wearing three layers of latex.