Latex Sensitivity Management: Policies & Procedures | Staff Education | Patient Care Information | Product Information | References
 

Room Preparation Checklist

 
Follow these guidelines to prepare a latex-safe environment:
 
_____ 1. Remove all latex products from room (i.e., gloves, tourniquets, tape, etc.) or store in a cabinet/drawer.
 
_____ 2.  Don nitrile or vinyl gloves.
 
_____ 3. Clean patient's room/exam room with a damp cloth or dampwipe to remove dust containing latex allergens.
 
_____ 4.  Remove gloves and wash hands thoroughly.
 
_____ 5. Cover mattress/exam table completely with a sheet/paper.
 
_____ 6. Wrap latex portion of patient care items that will come in with the patient's skin with an adhesive compression dressing (see directions below) or substitute item with a latex free product.
 
_____ 7.  Post purple “Latex Precaution” sign (located in the starter bundle) outside patient's door/exam room.
 
_____ 8.  Place purple “Latex Precaution” sticker on patient's medical record and identification band or clothing. (In the hospital setting, leave extra stickers at the bedside.)
 
_____ 9. Stock room with latex free supplies needed to provide care for the latex sensitive patient.
 
_____ 10.  Leave checklist in room for a reference.
 
 

Latex Safe Environment prepared by: ______________________________________
 
 
 

Instructions for Wrapping
Patient Care Items Containing Latex

Any patient care item, such as the stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, EKG lead wires, call light or pulse ox. probe which is not metal, plastic, or nylon can be made of natural rubber latex (NRL). The latex portion of such item should not come in contact with the patient's skin. If regular blood pressure cuff can be exchange for Dinamap cuff or disposable cuff, it will not need to be wrapped. Latex Free stethoscopes are available through the Service Center

Procedure:

  1. Identify latex portion of the item which will come in contact with patient's skin, i.e., cords, coils,
    bulb, tubing or rubber ring around diaphragm of stethoscope.

  2. Obtain adhesive compression bandage & clear transpore tape from starter bundle.

  3. Wrap latex portion of item with the adhesive compression bandage. (An alternative to wrapping
    item is to apply cotton gauze or stockinette directly to patient's extremity)

  4. Secure with clear transpore tape.

Note: Wrapping can be left in place for future use.
 
 

© 1999 Vanderbilt University Medical Center
URL: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/pcs/quality/latex/room_prep.html
Last Modified: Tuesday, November 2, 1999
mary.gaines@mcmail.Vanderbilt.Edu