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Latex Sensitivity: Difference between revisions
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<p>POLICY NO: <strong>2003</strong> <br />EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/15/01</p> | <p>POLICY NO: <strong>2003</strong> <br />EFFECTIVE DATE: <strong>05/15/01</strong></p> | ||
<p>Prevention and Management of Latex Sensitivity Policy</p> | <p>Prevention and Management of Latex Sensitivity Policy</p> | ||
<h2> | <h2>Basis for Policy</h2> | ||
<p>The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Policy 6.3.5 requires that the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) develop and implement an effective written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) which promotes occupational safety and health practices and strives to reduce work-related accidents and injuries on campus. The IIPP is required to comply with Nebraska law and theNebraska Department of Labor Workplace Safety Consultation Program Rules and Regulations, Neb. Rev. Stat. Secs. 48-443 to 48-446 and 230 NAC 6, respectively.</p> | <p>The University of Nebraska Board of Regents Policy 6.3.5 requires that the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) develop and implement an effective written Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) which promotes occupational safety and health practices and strives to reduce work-related accidents and injuries on campus. The IIPP is required to comply with Nebraska law and theNebraska Department of Labor Workplace Safety Consultation Program Rules and Regulations, Neb. Rev. Stat. Secs. 48-443 to 48-446 and 230 NAC 6, respectively.</p> | ||
<h2> | <h2>Policy</h2> | ||
<p>Human health hazards to latex sensitive individuals from latex exposure are recognized. Therefore, UNMC shall implement appropriate measures to minimize latex exposure among staff, students, patients and visitors</p> | <p>Human health hazards to latex sensitive individuals from latex exposure are recognized. Therefore, UNMC shall implement appropriate measures to minimize latex exposure among staff, students, patients and visitors</p> | ||
<h2>Patient Care</h2> | <h2>Patient Care</h2> | ||
<ol> | <ol type="A"> | ||
<li>All Patient Care areas shall:</li> | <li>All Patient Care areas shall:</li> | ||
<ol> | <ol> | ||
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</ol> | </ol> | ||
<h2>Employee Education/Awareness</h2> | <h2>Employee Education/Awareness</h2> | ||
<ol> | <ol type="A"> | ||
<li>Policies and procedures regarding the prevention and management of latex sensitivity shall be covered during new employee safety orientation.</li> | <li>Policies and procedures regarding the prevention and management of latex sensitivity shall be covered during new employee safety orientation.</li> | ||
<li>The use of powdered latex gloves is prohibited. Employees shall use powder-free non-latex gloves whenever possible. Powder-free non-latex gloves shall be provided to all employees who are sensitized/allergic to latex.</li> | <li>The use of powdered latex gloves is prohibited. Employees shall use powder-free non-latex gloves whenever possible. Powder-free non-latex gloves shall be provided to all employees who are sensitized/allergic to latex.</li> | ||
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<p>Latex proteins can bind to glove powder and become airborne. Latex glove powder carries the latex protein into the air when gloves are donned or removed, exposing the respiratory system and increasing the potential for sensitization.</p> | <p>Latex proteins can bind to glove powder and become airborne. Latex glove powder carries the latex protein into the air when gloves are donned or removed, exposing the respiratory system and increasing the potential for sensitization.</p> | ||
<h2>Risk Groups</h2> | <h2>Risk Groups</h2> | ||
<ol> | <ol type="A"> | ||
<li | <li>People with the following disorders are high risk groups for latex allergy:</li> | ||
<ol> | <ol> | ||
<li>Myelodysplasia (e.g. spina bifida, myelomeningocele).</li> | <li>Myelodysplasia (e.g. spina bifida, myelomeningocele).</li> | ||
<li>Congenital genitourinary anomalies requiring frequent surgeries or catheterization.</li> | <li>Congenital genitourinary anomalies requiring frequent surgeries or catheterization.</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol> | ||
<li | <li>The following groups are at risk for latex allergy and should be screened carefully and monitored for signs/symptoms of latex allergies:</li> | ||
<ol> | <ol> | ||
<li>History of multiple procedures.</li> | <li>History of multiple procedures.</li> | ||
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</ol></ol> | </ol></ol> | ||
<h2>Epidemiological Factors</h2> | <h2>Epidemiological Factors</h2> | ||
<ol> | <ol type="A"> | ||
<li>Hypersensitive or allergic reactions to latex may occur immediately or some time after exposure producing local or systemic symptoms of varying severity.</li> | <li>Hypersensitive or allergic reactions to latex may occur immediately or some time after exposure producing local or systemic symptoms of varying severity.</li> | ||
<li>Repeated exposure, usually extending over several years, is necessary before an individual’s immune system becomes sensitive. In other words, the more the body comes in contact with latex, the greater the opportunity for the body to recognize and react to it.</li> | <li>Repeated exposure, usually extending over several years, is necessary before an individual’s immune system becomes sensitive. In other words, the more the body comes in contact with latex, the greater the opportunity for the body to recognize and react to it.</li> | ||
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<li>the most severe allergic response, an intense allergic reaction which may cause anaphylaxis and death.</li> | <li>the most severe allergic response, an intense allergic reaction which may cause anaphylaxis and death.</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol> | ||
<li>The table below describes each type of reaction: | <li>The table below describes each type of reaction:</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol> | ||
<table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2"> | <table style="width: 100%;" border="0" cellspacing="2" cellpadding="2"> | ||