Tyco/Healthcare/Kendall Adds Kimberly-Clark Safeskin Purple Nitrile

ROSWELL, Ga. and MANSFIELD, Mass. -- Kimberly-Clark Health Care and Tyco Healthcare today announced that Kimberly-Clark Safeskin purple nitrile gloves will replace the vinyl gloves in Kendall procedural and patient prep trays.

"We will place more than 70 million gloves with the distinctive color purple design in over 200 different Kendall kits," said Mike Mattos, general manager for the Kimberly-Clark Health Care global glove business. "This is an extraordinary commitment on Tyco's part to make sure that users of their kits get the quality protection our purple nitrile gloves are noted for. We're proud to partner with a company that takes its commitment to quality protection as seriously as we do."

"The extra protection nitrile gloves offer over vinyl is of significant importance in today's challenging healthcare environment," said Wayne Christman, product manager for operating room products, noting that it is well established that vinyl gloves are significantly less protective than latex or nitrile in clinical or other normal settings. "We also think latex-free kits are another way we can help carry out our mission of providing world-class products for the healthcare environment. Kimberly-Clark products fit right in with that mission."

"Safeskin was one of the first companies to aggressively market nitrile gloves as a latex-free alternative to natural rubber latex and vinyl," said Mattos. "Safeskin purple nitrile gloves have quickly become the glove of choice, particularly in situations where confident protection is required, and latex sensitivity is an issue. The color purple design gloves are frequently used in emergency rooms, and are often seen in TV documentaries that are filmed in some of the country's top hospitals. People equate purple with Kimberly-Clark's commitment to protection."

Healthcare providers turn to Kimberly-Clark Health Care for a wide portfolio of quality products that improve the health, hygiene and well-being of their patients and staff. Its expertise in non-wovens fabric technology makes it a global leader in sterilization wrap and pouches, and surgical drapes. It also manufactures and markets surgical, gowns, personal protective apparel, headwear, footwear and Tecnol face masks to fit every healthcare need.

Kendall manufactures and markets a broad range of high quality products, including disposable cardiology and operating room products, wound care, needles and syringes, vascular therapy, urological care, incontinence care, sharps disposal and nursing care products. These products are distributed and used in a variety of clinical settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities and homes through the world.

Tyco Healthcare is a major business segment of Tyco International Ltd.

It is a leading manufacturer, distributor and servicer of medical devices worldwide. Its broad portfolio includes disposable medical supplies, monitoring equipment, medical instruments and bulk analgesic pharmaceuticals, sold under such names as Auto Suture, Kendall, Mallinckrodt, Nellcor, Puritan Bennett, United States Surgical, Valleylab and others.

Source: Kimberly-Clark