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.

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 (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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The R.U.B.B.E.R. tool: screening children for latex allergy.

The pediatric nurse practitioner may encounter IgE-mediated allergic reactions to natural latex rubber not only in patients with spina bifida but also in the general pediatric population. The R.U.B.B.E.R. screening tool is a short research-based questionnaire that elicits unrecognized past allergic reactions to latex and identifies children at risk for this condition. Management strategies include patient identification, referral for allergy evaluation, patient and family education about avoiding latex, and design of a latex-safe practice environment.

A criterion-referenced measure of latex allergy knowledge.

The exponential use of latex products has increased patients' and health care workers' sensitization to natural rubber latex. The purpose of this research study was to develop and test a set of items designed to measure professional nurses' knowledge about natural rubber latex reactions and interventions appropriate for latex precautions. The items were developed from research reports in the literature and changed to reflect the suggestions offered by experienced perioperative nurses (pilot = 8) and three nationally known experts in latex allergy responses. The revised form was mailed to the home or distributed at the workplace of perioperative nurses (n = 158). Criteria for item retention were < .90 difficulty index and clinical relevance. Certified nurses (i.e., CNORs) scored significantly higher than other nurses who took the test at the same time (t-test = 2.00, P = .05). A pretest and posttest evaluation of the revised 20 items was conducted before and after a latex allergy continuing education program during the spring of 1998. The current knowledge test (i.e., version 1.1) has reliability (alpha = .80); content validity (CVI = .92); and accumulated evidence of construct validity (preinstruction mean = 14.16, postinstruction mean = 17.15, t-paired = 10.54, df = 70, P = < .001). An empirically developed professional nurse latex allergy competency test suitable for clinical use was the outcome of this research study.

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.

Caring for patients with latex allergies.

Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is found in over 40,000 products that are used in healthcare settings as well as in the home. Providing care for the patient with a latex allergy requires understanding of how this allergy emerged, how it affects the patient, and what products are safe to use.

Neonatal sensitisation to latex: a hypothesis.

The exposure of babies to latex gloves at birth may be behind the dramatic increase in childhood allergies in the past 40 years. Jennifer Worth explores this theory and calls for a ban on the use of pre-powdered latex gloves in maternity units.

Managing latex allergy patients.

Increased latex product use and changes in its manufacture have caused a dramatic increase in latex allergy. Hospitals can address the problem with a system to identify, treat, and educate latex-allergic patients.

Latex allergy: a nursing update.

Latex allergy emerged in the 1990's as a significant and challenging public health concern for patients as well as healthcare workers. This article provides a review of this complex health care challenge. Understanding latex allergy production and sources of exposure will provide a background to explore the immunological implications of this exposure risk. Diagnostic and treatment measures are reviewed. The focus of this article is to increase awareness and encourage prevention of this growing health concern.

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.