Nitrile Exam Gloves and Non-Latex Sterile Surgical Gloves
This collection carries two Halyard nitrile exam glove ranges, Sterling in chemo tested grey and Xceed in general-purpose blue, plus the Ansell Gammex non-latex PI sterile surgical glove in polyisoprene. Exam gloves come in sizes small through extra large in case quantities; the surgical glove is sterile and sized numerically.
Two decisions cover almost every glove purchase. The first is whether you need a chemo tested glove, which is a question about what you handle rather than about quality. The second is exam versus surgical, which is a question about whether the procedure requires sterility.
Nitrile has largely displaced latex in clinical use because it removes latex allergy risk for both staff and patients while offering better puncture resistance. Every glove in this collection is latex-free, including the surgical option.
→ Part of PPE & Infection Control. Also see Nitrile Exam Gloves, Surgical Gloves, Masks & Face Protection and Gowns & Caps.
Chemo Tested or Not Rated?
Chemo tested means the glove has been evaluated for permeation resistance against specific chemotherapy drugs under a standardised test method, with the manufacturer publishing which drugs were tested and for how long the glove resisted each one. It is not a claim about thickness or durability in general.
That distinction matters because the label is drug-specific. A glove tested against one set of agents tells you nothing about a drug outside that set. If your practice handles hazardous drugs, the tested drug list is the thing to check, not the presence of the phrase, and your pharmacy or occupational safety function should confirm the match against what you actually compound or administer.
| Range | Colour | Rating | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halyard Sterling | Grey | Chemo tested | Oncology, pharmacy compounding, hazardous drug handling |
| Halyard Xceed | Blue | Not rated | General examination, routine clinical contact |
| Ansell Gammex non-latex PI | White | Chemo tested, sterile | Surgical and sterile procedures |
The colour difference is practical rather than cosmetic: grey and blue are visually distinct at a glance, so a unit stocking both can tell immediately whether the right glove was taken. Where two glove types coexist, that visual separation is what keeps the chemo tested stock from being used up on routine work.
Halyard Sterling: Chemo Tested Nitrile
Grey nitrile with standard cuff length and textured fingertips, non-sterile, supplied by the case. Textured fingertips matter for wet grip: a smooth glove on a wet ampoule or a blood-slick instrument slips, and the texture restores enough friction to handle small items securely.
Halyard Xceed: General Purpose Nitrile
Blue nitrile with standard cuff and textured fingertips, non-sterile, not chemo rated, in case quantities. This is the everyday examination glove for routine patient contact, phlebotomy, wound care and general clinical work where no hazardous drug exposure is involved.
Using a chemo tested glove for routine work is not harmful, but it costs more and depletes stock you may need for the work that actually requires it. Most units stock both and separate them by task.
Sterile Surgical Gloves
The Ansell Gammex non-latex PI in size 6 is a sterile polyisoprene surgical glove with standard cuff and micro-textured surface, chemo tested, supplied by the box.
Polyisoprene is the material worth understanding here. It is synthetic, so there is no latex protein and no latex allergy risk, but its mechanical behaviour is much closer to natural rubber latex than nitrile is. That means the elasticity, fit and tactile feedback surgeons expect from latex are largely preserved, which is the reason polyisoprene exists as a category rather than simply using nitrile for everything.
Surgical gloves are sized numerically rather than by S/M/L, because surgical fit needs to be closer than examination fit. See Surgical Gloves for the wider range.
Glove Storage and Dispensing
A glove box lying flat on a bench takes work surface and collects whatever is in the air around it. The chemo glove box holder mounts the box clear of the surface. In a unit stocking both chemo tested and general gloves, a dedicated holder also keeps the two visually separated at the point of use, which is where the substitution mistake actually happens. More options in PPE & Infection Control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does chemo tested mean on a glove?
The glove has been tested for permeation resistance against specific chemotherapy drugs under a standardised method, with the manufacturer publishing which drugs and for how long. It is drug-specific rather than a general durability claim, so a glove tested against one set of agents tells you nothing about a drug outside that set. If you handle hazardous drugs, check the tested drug list against what you actually handle, with your pharmacy or safety function confirming the match.
What is the difference between Sterling and Xceed?
Sterling is grey and chemo tested; Xceed is blue and not chemo rated. Both are nitrile, non-sterile, with standard cuff length and textured fingertips. Sterling suits oncology, pharmacy compounding and hazardous drug handling. Xceed suits general examination and routine clinical contact at lower cost. The colour difference is deliberate, so a unit stocking both can tell at a glance which was taken.
Why has nitrile replaced latex in clinical settings?
Nitrile removes latex allergy risk for both staff and patients, and it offers better puncture resistance than latex. Latex sensitisation among healthcare workers was a significant occupational problem, and it develops with repeated exposure rather than being present from the start. Every glove in this collection is latex-free, including the surgical option.
What is polyisoprene and why use it for surgical gloves?
Polyisoprene is a synthetic material with no latex protein, so there is no latex allergy risk, but its mechanical behaviour is much closer to natural rubber latex than nitrile is. That preserves the elasticity, fit and tactile feedback surgeons expect from latex. It is the reason polyisoprene exists as a category rather than nitrile being used for everything.
When do I need sterile rather than non-sterile gloves?
Sterile gloves are used for surgical and other procedures where the sterile field must be maintained, and the requirement follows your facility's procedure protocol rather than a general rule. Non-sterile examination gloves are appropriate for routine patient contact, phlebotomy, wound care and general clinical work. Sterile gloves also cost considerably more, so substituting them for routine use is expensive without adding benefit.
Why do exam gloves have textured fingertips?
For grip on wet surfaces. A smooth glove on a wet ampoule, a blood-slick instrument or a damp specimen container slips, and dropping either is a problem. Texturing restores enough friction to handle small items securely. It also improves tactile discrimination slightly, which matters for palpation and for finding a vein.
How do I choose glove size?
Exam gloves run small through extra large, and fit should be snug without stretching the material thin at the fingertips or restricting movement. A glove that is too large bunches at the fingertips and reduces dexterity; one that is too small stretches the material, which reduces its barrier integrity where it is thinnest. Most units stock at least three sizes because staff hands vary.
Should I buy gloves by the case?
For any glove used daily, yes: case pricing is substantially lower per unit and gloves have a long shelf life relative to consumption. The consideration is storage space and rotation. For a specialist glove used occasionally, such as chemo tested stock in a practice with light hazardous drug volume, smaller quantities avoid holding stock that ages on a shelf.
How should gloves be stored?
In their original box, away from direct sunlight, heat sources and ozone-generating equipment, all of which degrade the material over time. Keep the box off the work surface and away from splash zones. A box that has been sitting open next to a sink collects whatever aerosolises there, which defeats the point of the glove inside it.
Why does colour matter on medical gloves?
Where a unit stocks two glove types with different ratings, colour is what prevents substitution at the point of use. Grey Sterling and blue Xceed are distinguishable at arm's length, so someone reaching for a chemo tested glove during hazardous drug handling can confirm they took the right one without reading a box. It is a visual control, not decoration.
MediDepot Purchasing Advantages
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Related Buying Guides
- Clinic Infection Control Supplies Checklist
- How to Choose Disinfectants: Contact Time and Staff Safety
- Physician Office Setup Checklist
- How to Verify Authorized Medical Equipment Sellers