Protecting Patients with Latex Allergies.

: The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Reporting System is a confidential, statewide Internet reporting system to which all Pennsylvania hospitals, outpatient-surgery facilities, birthing centers, and abortion facilities must file information on incidents and serious events.Safety Monitor is a column from Pennsylvania's Patient Safety Authority, the authority that informs nurses on issues that can affect patient safety and presents strategies they can easily integrate into practice. For more information on the authority, visit www.patientsafety.pa.gov. For the original article discussed in this column or for other articles on patient safety, click on "Advisories and Events" and then "Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory" in the top navigation menu.

Latex Safe at School: A Student-Centered Approach.

Providing a safe environment for students at risk for anaphylaxis from a latex allergy requires care coordination and collaboration of all members of the school community. Strategies for allergy management include educating the school community, identifying potential exposure to latex, preparing to respond in an emergency, and creating a plan for the future. With the student at the center of sound planning, the school can provide a secure and healthy environment.

Alergia ao látex: análise da produção científica dos enfermeiros / Latex allergy: review of the scientific production of nures

Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa com objetivo de evidenciar os artigos da temática alergia ao látex publicados por enfermeiros. Para o estudo foram utilizadas as bases de dados Lilacs, Medline, BDENF, Scielo Brasil, Biblioteca Cochrane, Re@Enf, Scopus, Web of Science e Cinahl. Foram selecionados 28 artigos os quais foram submetidos às análises quanti e qualitativas, sendo identificadas as principais idéias contidas em cada estudo em torno dos temas alergia ao látex em profissionais de saúde, alergia ao látex em pacientes e produtos médicos que contêm látex. Evidenciou-se que os enfermeiros estudam mais sobre materiais que contém o látex, principalmente as luvas, verificando-se lacuna sobre o assunto na área dos cuidados de enfermagem, pesquisas de protocolos para a prática, reduzindo riscos inerentes aos pacientes alérgicos.

Latex allergy in women's health care.

Latex allergy in midwifery and women's health care is not a new concept, with numerous case reports documenting adverse reactions in pregnant women to natural rubber latex in the birthing room. The practising midwife, nurse and sonographer need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of latex allergy and the implications of a severe reaction to latex not only to the woman but also the unborn child.

Implementing AORN recommended practices for a safe environment of care.

Providing a safe environment for every patient undergoing a surgical or other invasive procedure is imperative. AORN's "Recommended practices for a safe environment of care" provides guidance on a wide range of topics related to the safety of perioperative patients and health care personnel. The recommendations are intended to provide guidance for establishing best practices and implementing safety measures in all perioperative practice settings. Perioperative nurses should be aware of risks related to musculoskeletal injuries, fire, equipment, latex, and chemicals, among others, and understand strategies for reducing the risks. Evidence-based recommendations can give practitioners the tools to guide safe practice.

[Allergy to latex in surgical ward (II). Nurses' operational protocol]. / Alergia al látex en al área quirúrgica (y II). Protocolo de actuación de enfermería.

The authors propose a nurses' operational protocol to follow when dealing with a patient who has an allergy to latex in a surgical ward, amplifying this protocol to the entire patient care areas in a hospital to provide integral treatment for such allergy patients. In this second article, the authors analyze pharmaceutical products used to see whether or not they contain latex.

Thiuram allergy--a potential dermal allergy among health care workers.

Occupational health nurses should be cognizant of the myriad exposures that can result in dermal reactions among health care workers.

[Allergy to latex in surgical ward. Nurses' operational protocol]. / Alergia al látex en el area quirúrgica. Protocolo de actuación de enfermería.

The authors propose a nurses' operational protocol to follow when dealing with a patient who has an allergy to latex in a surgical Ward, amplifying this protocol to the entire patient care areas in a hospital to provide integral treatment for such allergy patients. In this first article, the authors analyze those products, instruments and material which may or may not, contain latex.

Natural rubber latex: a matter of concern for nurses.

During the past 20 years, the use of protective gloves in health care has increased, as have hypersensitivity reactions to the natural rubber latex (NRL) used in glove manufacture. A study was conducted to determine what nurses who work in environments in which NRL is commonly used know about NRL, including their education about and experience with NRL-related allergies. Nurses replied to a questionnaire with 20 statements pertaining to NRL and NRL-related allergies. The results showed that the nurses had inadequate knowledge about NRL, but nurses in a specialty training program scored significantly higher than professionally active nurses.

Myelomeningocele, avocados, and rubber tree plants.

Infants with myelomeningocele and the nurses who care for them have something in common. Both are at higher risk than the general population for developing latex allergies. This article provides a review of the literature regarding latex production, latex allergic responses in children and adults, types of latex allergic reactions, and prevention of latex allergies.

Tackling latex allergies in patients and nursing staff.

It has been known for some time that the latex contained in some medical equipment, such as gloves, can result in an allergic reaction. A new report from the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) looks into the response from NHS organisations to the threat from latex allergies and whether adequate measures have been taken to protect health care staff and patients.

Dental surgery in pediatric patients with spina bifida and latex allergy.

Dental rehabilitation is a common outpatient pediatric surgical procedure. It requires the dentist to restore or extract the teeth of children with severe tooth decay or poor dental hygiene. Medical, physical, or emotional problems can make safe treatment in an outpatient setting impossible. These children require sedation or anesthesia for the dentist to gain access to their oral cavities. This article discusses caring for pediatric patients with spina bifida and latex allergy undergoing dental rehabilitation. Perioperative nurses must act as patient advocates in providing a latex-safe environment and also ensure quality care.

Latex allergies: management and clinical responsibilities.

Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is found in over 40,000 products and presents many challenges to provide "reasonable accommodations" to keep employees safe in the work environment. In addition, patient care must also be modified in order to keep patients who are latex sensitive safe. This article presents the background of latex allergies and describes how to better manage both the employee and the patient with this allergy based on the most current information.