Transcript Latex Allergy Awareness - Massachusetts Nurses Association

Preventing Latex Allergy
National Latex Allergy Awareness Week
October 1-6, 2006
Workplace Hazards Conference – Marlboro MA
June 7, 2007
Presenter information
 Linda Coulombe RN, BS, CNOR, CRCST
 Lancaster General Hospital
 Lancaster PA
 717-544-7345
 [email protected]
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Identify at least two reasons to go latex safe
 Identify at least two obstacles to conquer
 Identify at least two benefits to patient and
staff
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Why Try
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I have to ask Why Not?
Loss of job
Loss of income
Loss of social life
Loss of security
Loss of life
Preventing Latex Allergy
Background
 Pennsylvania first state to declare Latex
Allergy Awareness Week
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Week of October 4-10, 1998
 1997 FDA received 1700 reports of latex
reactions
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16 deaths
 NIOSH alert 1997
 September 1998 FDA mandated latex label
on items
Preventing Latex Allergy
 1998 FDA reported 29 Deaths due to Latex
Allergy
 Latex Glove Reactions
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1999 FDA reported 2,330 latex reactions
[associated with latex glove reactions only]
5 deaths
 1999 Food Code Annex
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Food preparation passed to sensitive persons
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Research Studies Show Latex Allergy 2001
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20% Health Care workers
17% Nurses
6.7% Surgeons
38% Dental Care workers
34% Children undergone 3 or more surgeries
11% Rubber industry workers
6.8% individuals with other allergies
18 million Americans [6% of general pop]
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Administrative Support
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CEO/COO
CFO
Physicians
Infection Control
Risk Management
Human Resources
Department Heads
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Found in more than 40,000 commonly used
products in
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Health Care
Home
Community
Preventing Latex Allergy
Major Contributors Health Care
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Gloves
 Powder
 Too big/small
 Don’t stretch
 Don’t grasp
Catheters
 Not flexible
 Patient complains
 Use the silicon coated
Airways
 Won’t hold up to abuse
Preventing Latex Allergy
Major Contributors Health Care
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Elastic Wrap
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IV Injection Port
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Only the port
Tourniquets
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Won’t stretch
Won’t hold
Won’t stretch
Balloons
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Who cares – just a balloon
Preventing Latex Allergy
Major Contributors Home
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Balloons
 Child’s parties
 powder
Gloves
 Cleaning
 Gardening
Pacifiers
 Starting young
Band-Aids
 Everyone loves a band aid
Preventing Latex Allergy
Major Contributors Home
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Condoms
 Avanti
 Safe sex
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Rubber Bands
 Won’t stretch
 Break easier
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Clothing with elastic
 Cloth covering
 All cotton
 Sneakers
Preventing Latex Allergy
Major Contributors Foods
High
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Banana
Avocado
Chestnut
Moderate
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Kiwi
Potato
Tomato
Papaya
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Major Contributors Community
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Balloons
Food Handlers
Carpeting
Toys
Balls
Bikes – handle covers
Just about everything
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Hospital Trials
 Education
 First
 Complete
 Accurate
 Change
 No one likes change
 Focus on the good differences
 Conversions
 New products – look and feel different
 Benefits
 Prevent latex sensitivity
Preventing Latex Allergy
It’s Our Responsibility To
 Screen Patients
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Use Screening Tool Questionnaire
 Provide a safe environment for all
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Harm to patient;
wasted OR time; additional expense for
supplies
Extended hospital stay
Preventing Latex Allergy
It’s the Facility’s Responsibility To
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Screen Employees
Provide a safe environment for all
Provide latex alternative products
Provide counseling and testing
Make the workplace home
Policy & procedure for employees
Preventing Latex Allergy
 What Can I Do?
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Ask for support – can’t do it alone
Make sure you have the facts
Know your rights
JCAHO recommendations
OSHA Recommendations
Position Statements
Preventing Latex Allergy
Key Steps for Reducing Latex Allergy
 Get Latex out of the air
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Latex free gloves
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Powder free gloves
 Ban latex balloons
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Establish policy for hospital
 Keep latex away from mucosa
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More quickly absorbed
Preventing Latex Allergy
Position Statements
 2004 Patient Safety Authority PA position
statement
 American College of Surgeons position
statement on Latex Allergy
 American College of Allergy, Asthma &
Immunology position statement
 AORN position statement and Latex
Guideline
Preventing Latex Allergy
 Q&A
 And in the end it's not the years in your
life that count. It's the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln
 Thank you for helping to keep all customers
safe