Latex Sensitivity Management: Policies & Procedures | Staff Education | Patient Care Information | Product Information | References
 
Review Responsibilities: Laboratory Department
Date Approval: 8-30-1999
Date Revised/Reviewed:
LATEX ALLERGY MANAGEMENT 
for collection of Laboratory specimens
  1. PURPOSE

    2. The goal is to avoid exposure of latex sensitive/allergy patients to latex allergy-causing proteins (antigens) from latex products during the collection of laboratory specimens.

     

  2. GENERAL INFORMATION

    3. The collection of laboratory specimens involves the removal of body fluids from patients; therefore, the risk of latex exposure would be due to the direct contact between a latex product and the patient.

    Latex precautions will be used when collecting laboratory specimens for all patients identified as having a latex allergy, spina bifida, congenital urological anomalies, or who have been medically advised to avoid latex.

     

  3. SPECIFIC INFORMATION
    1. Identification
When consulted for Laboratory services, the need for latex precautions will be communicated. In addition to verbal notification, other identification used for patients with latex sensitivity will include the following:

1. Inpatients:
    1. Purple latex precaution sticker on I.D. bracelet,
    2. Purple latex precaution sticker on chart
    3. Documentation of latex sensitivity on hand written or computer generated requisition and referral slips
    4. Purple latex precaution sign on door
2. Outpatients:
    1. Purple latex precaution sticker on patient
    2. Purple latex precaution sticker on chart
    3. Documentation of latex sensitivity on hand written or computer generated requisition and referral slips
    1. Reaction Prevention and Management
When collecting specimens from a patient requiring latex precautions, the lab tech will:
    1. Wash hands prior to entering patient room to remove residual allergens.
    2. Take only latex safe supplies into area where specimen is to be collected.
    3. Use latex free gloves provided in patient room or patient care area.
    4. Use latex free tourniquet.
    5. Follow collection of specimens procedure using identified latex free/safe products. If the adapter blood transfer male fails to draw lab specimen, use latex free syringe attached to a needle. Specimen will be transferred to vacutainer tubes using adapter blood transfer female (item 15295) which contains latex, but does not contact patient. 

      6. Note: Bandaids (item 122) are packaged in latex packaging and will not be used
      on latex sensitive patients
       

    6. During procedures, observe for signs and symptoms of latex reaction including nasal, eye, or sinus irritation; hives; shortness of breath; coughing; wheezing; or unexplained shock and notify staff caring for that patient.
 
  1. LATEX-FREE PRODUCT INFORMATION
    2. ITEM #
    LATEX FREE ITEMS DESCRIPTION
    MFG
    MFG CATALOG#
      SAFETY ADAPTERS ( TUBE HOLDER)     
      VACUTAINER (HEMOGARD) VACUTAINER PLUS BLOOD COLLECTION TUBES
    BECTON DICKINSON
    		  
      BULLETS (SMALL COLLECTION TUBES)    
      LANCETS    
      SPONGE GAUZE STR 8 PLY LF
    KENDAL
    2318
      SPONGE GAUZE 12 PLY 2X2 N/S LF
    KENDAL
    7612
      BLOOD CULTURE PREP KIT II    
      MICROBIOLOGICAL SWABS    
      BUTTERFLY 21 GA SAFETY W/O LUER LF
    BDVAC
    367296
      BUTTERFLY 23GA SAFE TY W/O LUER LF
    BDVAC
    367297
      BUTTERFLY 25 GA SAFETY W/O LUER LF
    BDVAC
    367298
      PAD ALCOHOL PREP STRL MED LF
    KENDALL
    6818
      ADAPTER BLOOD TRANSFER MALE LF
    BD
    364894
      SYRINGE 0.5CC INSULIN 28 X ½ LF
    BD
    329461
      SYRINGE 3CC 22 X 1 LF
    BD
    309572
      SYRINGE 5CC 22G X 1.5 LUERLOK LF
    BD
    309631
      SYRINGE 10CC 20 X 1 ½ LL LF
    BD
    309645
    29082
    		 GLOVE NITRILE PF SM/MED
    TILLOTSON
    02-6401
    29083
    		 GLOVE NITRILE PF MED/LG
    TILLOTSON
    02-6402
    29468
    		 GLOVE NITRILE PF XLARGE
    TILLOTSON
    02-6403
      LATEX FREE TOURNIQUES    
    The following items do contain latex, but do not come in contact with the patient:
    ITEM #
    		 LATEX SAFE ITEMS
    MFG
    MFG CATALOG#
      BLOOD COLLECTION SYSTEM (BIOPLEXUS)    
      BLOOD CULTURE BOTTLE    
           

    Note: Any latex free supplies, which have been in direct contact with latex items, should not be used i.e. latex free safety adapters with latex tourniquets or latex gloves. 
     

  2. REFERENCES:
    1. NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) [1997]. Alert Preventing Allergic Reactions to Natural Rubber Latex in the Workplace. DHHS 97 – 135 (1-16).
    2. Patient Care Resource Manual, Latex Allergy Management, No. 30-04.11
    3. Burt, Sharon (1998). What you need to know about Latex. Nursing 98, 
 
  1. ENDORSEMENTS:
      2.   

      ___________________________________    _____________ 
        LABORATORY MANAGER                     DATE


      ___________________________________    _____________ 

        ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR              DATE 
 
 
Latex Sensitivity Management: Policies & Procedures | Staff Education | Patient Care Information | Product Information | References
 
© 1999 Vanderbilt University Medical Center