Latex Sensitivity Management

Patient Care Information

Prepare a Latex-free Environment

Room Preparation Checklist

Starter Kit: Contains latex free disposable dual head stethoscope, "Latex precaution" stickers (5) for gown or arm band, “Latex Precautions” door sign, Transpore 3M tape (1 roll), 2x2 inch covaderm dressing (3 bandaids), cotton balls (5), 4x4 gauze dressing, Latex-free tourniquet, Stockinette 2'x4" 2-ply, Coban 3" roll, Room Preparation Checklist.

Education & Teaching Materials

It is important to educate the patient and family/significant others about latex precautions at their level of understanding. Information contained here applies to patients with latex allergy as well as those at high risk for development of an allergy.

Overview: A summary of information related to latex allergy for healthcare workers to review before a patient education session.

Signs and Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction

Goals for patient education:
Objectives for patients identified as high risk, with no known history of reaction to latex...and for patients with a reported or suspected allergy to latex.

Multidisciplinary Patient/Family Education Record:(PDF - 11K)
A tool for documenting patient teaching.

Patient information sheets:

“Latex Allergy and Risk”

“Latex and Food Allergies: The Protein Connection”

Additional information for patients and familes:

Related links

Further readings (books, articles, etc.)

© 1999 Vanderbilt University Medical Center
URL: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/pcs/quality/latex/patient.html
For More Information:
mary.gaines@mcmail.Vanderbilt.Edu
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Last Modified: Wednesday, June 7, 2000
webmaster@www.mc.Vanderbilt.Edu

Door Sign Used to Indicate
Patient is Latex Allergic

LATEX PRECAUTIONS

VISITORS: Please check with nurse before taking anything into room

REMEMBER:

No Latex Products

All Personnel wash hands prior to contact with patient to remove
any latex allergen particles present on hands

Check for food sensitivities associated with this allergy

Refer to Latex Allergy Management policy no. 30-04-11

Example of signs posted on door to room of patients identified as latex allergic.

These signs are included in the starter kits and are also available from the unit cell.

Back to list -
Product Info

Overview for Healthcare Workers

While natural rubber latex has been used in manufacturing products for over 100 years, it is assumed that it is the increased use of latex products especially in healthcare settings that has precipitated the increase in the incidence of latex allergic reactions in humans. Thousands of medical supplies contain latex.

Some populations with reported higher incidence of latex reactions have been targeted for anticipatory prevention measures. These groups include patients with Spina Bifida, patients with multiple urological surgical procedures and anyone medically advised to avoid latex. Patients with a known latex allergy will need protection from exposure to latex allergens. Latex allergy is acquired and the reactions may worsen with continued exposures.

Latex Management Policies and Procedures have been established to prevent exposures to latex

in those populations noted to be in a high-risk category. In addition, these same policies will protect those already identified as Latex Allergic from potentially life-threatening exposures.

Exposures to latex allergens can occur with direct contact, especially contact with mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, genital area, and rectum). Another route is airborne particles, such as, powder from balloons or latex exam gloves.

Education provided to patients and families will help in preventing exposure to natural rubber latex. For those identified or suspected to be Latex Allergic, the patient education plan will review the patient/family's understanding of the management of a medical condition.

Back to Education
& Teaching

Education Goals for Latex Allergy Patients
and Patients at Risk

The purpose of the Latex at Risk Education Plan is to teach the patient and family (including significant others) at their level of understanding about preventing exposure to latex, and about latex allergy management.

It is essential for patients/families to understanding the following objectives.

Patient/family describes the need to prevent and protect patient from exposure to latex.

Patient/family identifies common items that contain latex.

Patient/family states the responsibility for reporting latex allergy or latex risk status in every healthcare encounter. Examples of encounters include doctors' visits, dental visits, and public health visits.

Patient/family states the responsibility for reporting latex allergy or latex risk status in other community settings. Examples of settings are day care, nursing homes, schools, and work.

Patient/family states the need to question, which products are used in any medical or community encounters.

Patient/family states an understanding that latex allergy or sensitivity could worsen with each additional exposure.

Patient/family names the signs and symptoms of latex allergic reactions. They can also identify suspected triggers for patients with confirmed latex allergy.

Patient/family states the responsibility to seek medical care for signs or symptoms of allergic reaction. The patient/family states the medical plan if a latex reaction occurs. The patient/family will contact a physician for a management plan if there is not one in place.

Patient/family states the understanding of the connection between latex allergy and other allergies.

Patient/family states the need for some system of medical alert to be used to identify the patient as latex allergic (e.g. Mediclert, Bodyguard, Medic-ID).

Education documentation forms:
Latex Risk Multidisciplinary Patient/Family Education Record (PDF 12K)
Latex Risk Multidisciplinary Patient/Family Education Record (PDF 12K)

Back to Education
& Teaching

Signs and Symptoms
of an Allergic Reaction

These reactions may be symptoms of a latex allergy:

Skin: Rash, swelling, hives, itching, redness, and irritations
  (reaction may be localized or cover large areas of the body)

Eyes: Itchiness, tearing, watering, redness

Nose/throat: Runny nose, tightness and/or swelling of the
  throat, sneezing, itchiness

Lungs: Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing

Heart: Chest pain, palpitations, drop in blood pressure,
  lightheadedness, fast heart beat

Intestinal: Abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

It is very important to respond to these symptoms. A reaction to latex may be immediate or delayed for hours after contact with an object. Sometimes it is hard to identify which object leads to the reaction.

Seek medical help immediately if the patient has difficulty breathing, complains of chest pains, or seems in general distress.

These symptoms are listed on the “Latex Allergy and Risk”
patient teaching sheet.

Back to Education
& Teaching

Patient Care Information

Door Sign Used to Indicate
Patient is Latex Allergic

LATEX PRECAUTIONS

Overview for Healthcare Workers

Education Goals for Latex Allergy Patients
and Patients at Risk

Signs and Symptoms
of an Allergic Reaction

Related Links

Medical Identification Systems:

Patient Care Information

Door Sign Used to IndicatePatient is Latex Allergic

LATEX PRECAUTIONS

Overview for Healthcare Workers

Education Goals for Latex Allergy Patientsand Patients at Risk

Signs and Symptomsof an Allergic Reaction

Related Links

Medical Identification Systems:

Door Sign Used to Indicate
Patient is Latex Allergic

Education Goals for Latex Allergy Patients
and Patients at Risk

Signs and Symptoms
of an Allergic Reaction