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

Presenter information Linda Coulombe RN, BS, CNOR, CRCST Lancaster General Hospital Lancaster PA

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

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

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

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

Preventing Latex Allergy Research Studies Show Latex Allergy % Health Care workers 17% Nurses 6.7% Surgeons 38% Dental Care workers 34% Children undergone 3 or more surgeries 11% Rubber industry workers 6.8% individuals with other allergies 18 million Americans [6% of general pop]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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