Preventing Latex Allergy National Latex Allergy Awareness Week

Preventing Latex Allergy National Latex Allergy Awareness Week October 1 -6, 2006 Workplace Hazards Conference – Marlboro MA June 7, 2007

Presenter information n Linda Coulombe RN, BS, CNOR, CRCST n Lancaster General Hospital n Lancaster PA n 717 -544 -7345 n lcoulombe 1925@comcast. net

Preventing Latex Allergy n Identify at least two reasons to go latex safe n Identify at least two obstacles to conquer n Identify at least two benefits to patient and staff

Preventing Latex Allergy n Why Try n I have to ask Why Not? n Loss of job n Loss of income n Loss of social life n Loss of security n Loss of life

Preventing Latex Allergy Background n Pennsylvania first state to declare Latex Allergy Awareness Week n Week of October 4 -10, 1998 n 1997 FDA received 1700 reports of latex reactions n 16 deaths n NIOSH alert 1997 n September 1998 FDA mandated latex label on items

Preventing Latex Allergy n 1998 FDA reported 29 Deaths due to Latex Allergy n Latex Glove Reactions 1999 FDA reported 2, 330 latex reactions [associated with latex glove reactions only] n 5 deaths n n 1999 Food Code Annex n Food preparation passed to sensitive persons

Preventing Latex Allergy n Research Studies Show Latex Allergy 2001 n 20% Health Care workers n 17% Nurses n 6. 7% Surgeons n 38% Dental Care workers n 34% Children undergone 3 or more surgeries n 11% Rubber industry workers n 6. 8% individuals with other allergies n 18 million Americans [6% of general pop]

Preventing Latex Allergy n Administrative Support n CEO/COO n CFO n Physicians n Infection Control n Risk Management n Human Resources n Department Heads

Preventing Latex Allergy n Found in more than 40, 000 commonly used products in Health Care n Home n Community n

Preventing Latex Allergy Major Contributors Health Care n n n Gloves n Powder n Too big/small n Don’t stretch n Don’t grasp Catheters n Not flexible n Patient complains n Use the silicon coated Airways n Won’t hold up to abuse

Preventing Latex Allergy Major Contributors Health Care n Elastic Wrap n n n IV Injection Port n n Only the port Tourniquets n n Won’t stretch Won’t hold Won’t stretch Balloons n Who cares – just a balloon

Preventing Latex Allergy Major Contributors Home n n Balloons n Child’s parties n powder Gloves n Cleaning n Gardening Pacifiers n Starting young Band-Aids n Everyone loves a band aid

Preventing Latex Allergy Major Contributors Home n Condoms § Avanti § Safe sex n Rubber Bands § Won’t stretch § Break easier n Clothing with elastic § Cloth covering § All cotton § Sneakers

Preventing Latex Allergy Major Contributors Foods High Banana n Avocado n Chestnut n Moderate Kiwi n Potato n Tomato n Papaya n

Preventing Latex Allergy n Major Contributors Community n Balloons n Food Handlers n Carpeting n Toys n Balls n Bikes – handle covers n Just about everything

Preventing Latex Allergy n Hospital Trials n Education n First n Complete n Accurate n Change n No one likes change n Focus on the good differences n Conversions n New products – look and feel different n Benefits n Prevent latex sensitivity

Preventing Latex Allergy It’s Our Responsibility To n Screen Patients n Use Screening Tool Questionnaire n Provide a safe environment for all n Harm to patient; n wasted OR time; additional expense for supplies n Extended hospital stay

Preventing Latex Allergy It’s the Facility’s Responsibility To Screen Employees n Provide a safe environment for all n Provide latex alternative products n Provide counseling and testing n Make the workplace home n Policy & procedure for employees n

Preventing Latex Allergy n What Can I Do? n Ask for support – can’t do it alone n Make sure you have the facts n Know your rights n JCAHO recommendations n OSHA Recommendations n Position Statements

Preventing Latex Allergy Key Steps for Reducing Latex Allergy n Get Latex out of the air n Latex free gloves n Powder free gloves n Ban latex balloons n Establish policy for hospital n Keep latex away from mucosa n More quickly absorbed

Preventing Latex Allergy Position Statements n 2004 Patient Safety Authority PA position statement n American College of Surgeons position statement on Latex Allergy n American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology position statement n AORN position statement and Latex Guideline

Preventing Latex Allergy n. Q&A n And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln n Thank you for helping to keep all customers safe