Do you ship to anywhere in Canada?

Yes, we ship across Canada from our Toronto warehouse. Ontario delivery typically takes 24-48 hours.

Do you offer bulk/wholesale pricing?

Yes. We offer competitive wholesale pricing for healthcare facilities including long-term care homes, clinics, and hospitals. Contact us for a custom quote.

Are your products certified?

Yes. Our products meet or exceed Canadian medical standards including ASTM certifications. We source from ISO 13485 certified manufacturers.

What is your minimum order quantity?

No minimum order for retail purchases. For wholesale/bulk pricing, typical MOQ is 50-100 boxes per product.

Do you offer product samples?

Yes, free samples are available for qualified healthcare buyers. Contact us to request samples.

Nitrile Exam Gloves vs Surgical Gloves: Key Differences and Selection Guide

July 24, 2026

Understanding the Difference Between Exam and Surgical Gloves

While both examination gloves and surgical gloves serve to protect healthcare professionals and patients, they are designed for different purposes and manufactured to different standards. Understanding these differences is essential for making the right purchasing decision.

CliniEco Nitrile Examination Gloves

ASTM Standards: D6319 vs D3577

The key difference lies in the ASTM standards they must meet. Examination gloves follow ASTM D6319, while surgical gloves follow ASTM D3577. Surgical gloves require a stricter Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) of 0.65 compared to 1.5 for exam gloves, meaning fewer pinholes per batch. Surgical gloves must also be sterile, individually packaged in pairs, and offer specific cuff lengths for gown integration.

When to Use Each Type

For routine patient examinations, lab work, dental procedures, and most clinical tasks, high-quality nitrile examination gloves provide more than adequate protection at a fraction of the cost. Surgical gloves are reserved for invasive procedures, surgeries, and any situation requiring a sterile field. For the vast majority of healthcare applications, examination-grade nitrile gloves meeting ASTM D6319 with AQL 1.5 are the practical choice.

Glove comparison chart

Cost Comparison

Examination gloves typically cost 40-60% less than surgical gloves. A box of 100 exam gloves might run 0-18, while the same quantity of sterile surgical gloves could cost 5-50 or more. For facilities looking to optimize their PPE budget, using exam-grade nitrile for non-surgical applications and reserving surgical gloves for the operating room is the most cost-effective approach.

Making the Right Choice for Your Facility

Most healthcare facilities should stock both types. For general clinical use, dental practices, laboratories, and long-term care facilities, ASTM D6319 nitrile examination gloves from CliniEco Medical provide excellent protection at a reasonable cost. Reserve sterile surgical gloves for operating rooms and invasive procedures where sterility is mandatory.