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Latex Sensitivity: Difference between revisions
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<p>Prevention and Management of Latex Sensitivity Policy</p> | <p>Prevention and Management of Latex Sensitivity Policy</p> | ||
<h2>Basis for Policy</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 <a href="http://www.nebraska.edu/board/bylaws-policies-and-rules.html" target="_blank">University of Nebraska Board of Regents Policy</a> 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>Policy</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 type="A"> | <ol type="A"> | ||
<li>All Patient Care areas shall: | <li>All Patient Care areas shall:<ol> | ||
<ol> | |||
<li>Institute a screening process to identify patients who are latex sensitive. The screening process includes the use of the Latex Sensitivity Screening Questionnaire for Patients.</li> | <li>Institute a screening process to identify patients who are latex sensitive. The screening process includes the use of the Latex Sensitivity Screening Questionnaire for Patients.</li> | ||
<li>Implement procedures to minimize risk to latex sensitive patients.</li> | <li>Implement procedures to minimize risk to latex sensitive patients.</li> | ||
<li>Develop a method to alert staff, on an ongoing basis, regarding patients with latex sensitivity/allergy or those identified as being in a high-risk group for latex allergy.</li> | <li>Develop a method to alert staff, on an ongoing basis, regarding patients with latex sensitivity/allergy or those identified as being in a high-risk group for latex allergy.</li> | ||
<li>Assess the environment to identify products and equipment containing latex and identify alternative products and equipment.</li> | <li>Assess the environment to identify products and equipment containing latex and identify alternative products and equipment.</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol></li> | ||
<li>Patients with a known allergic response to latex exposure or identified as being in a high-risk group for latex allergy shall be placed on "Latex Precautions."</li> | <li>Patients with a known allergic response to latex exposure or identified as being in a high-risk group for latex allergy shall be placed on "Latex Precautions."</li> | ||
<li>Signs about latex sensitivity shall be posted in waiting areas of ambulatory care and diagnostic care areas. These signs shall be designed to alert patients and their family members to notify staff if they are latex sensitive.</li> | <li>Signs about latex sensitivity shall be posted in waiting areas of ambulatory care and diagnostic care areas. These signs shall be designed to alert patients and their family members to notify staff if they are latex sensitive.</li> | ||
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<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> | ||
<li>Employees shall maintain prudent hand care including the following: | <li>Employees shall maintain prudent hand care including the following:<ol> | ||
<ol> | |||
<li>Wash hands after removing gloves.</li> | <li>Wash hands after removing gloves.</li> | ||
<li>Dry hands to prevent irritation by residual soap.</li> | <li>Dry hands to prevent irritation by residual soap.</li> | ||
<li>Avoid the use of hand lotions or lubricants that contain mineral oil, petroleum salves and other hydrocarbon-based gels or lotions.</li> | <li>Avoid the use of hand lotions or lubricants that contain mineral oil, petroleum salves and other hydrocarbon-based gels or lotions.</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol></li> | ||
<li>Unless essential, latex that may contain powder or come in contact with skin should not be used. This includes the use of latex balloons and decorations.</li> | <li>Unless essential, latex that may contain powder or come in contact with skin should not be used. This includes the use of latex balloons and decorations.</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol> | ||
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<h2>Risk Groups</h2> | <h2>Risk Groups</h2> | ||
<ol type="A"> | <ol type="A"> | ||
<li>People with the following disorders are high risk groups for latex allergy: | <li>People with the following disorders are high risk groups for latex allergy:<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>The following groups are at risk for latex allergy and should be screened carefully and monitored for signs/symptoms of latex allergies:<ol> | ||
<ol> | |||
<li>History of multiple procedures.</li> | <li>History of multiple procedures.</li> | ||
<li>Frequent instrumentation or catheterization of the genitourinary tract.</li> | <li>Frequent instrumentation or catheterization of the genitourinary tract.</li> | ||
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<li>Atopic patients (asthma, rhinitis, eczema).</li> | <li>Atopic patients (asthma, rhinitis, eczema).</li> | ||
<li>Allergies to bananas, kiwi, avocados, water chestnuts, tropical fruits.</li> | <li>Allergies to bananas, kiwi, avocados, water chestnuts, tropical fruits.</li> | ||
</ol></ol> | </ol></li> | ||
</ol> | |||
<h2>Epidemiological Factors</h2> | <h2>Epidemiological Factors</h2> | ||
<ol type="A"> | <ol type="A"> | ||
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<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> | ||
<li>Once an individual has become latex sensitive, further (secondary) exposure may provoke a reaction, the severity of which depends on the body’s type of immunological response.</li> | <li>Once an individual has become latex sensitive, further (secondary) exposure may provoke a reaction, the severity of which depends on the body’s type of immunological response.</li> | ||
<li>Reactions to natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves can result from either irritation or allergy. There are three possible reactions to NRL gloves. They are: | <li>Reactions to natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves can result from either irritation or allergy. There are three possible reactions to NRL gloves. They are:<ol> | ||
<ol> | |||
<li>Mechanical or Irritant Contact Dermatitis – this is an irritation, not a true allergy. This is the most common reaction to NRL gloves. Because of the intense focus on latex allergy today, many individuals who experience irritant contact dermatitis assume they are experiencing a latex allergy. It is very important to assess reactions carefully to determine their cause so that the right treatment can be implemented.</li> | <li>Mechanical or Irritant Contact Dermatitis – this is an irritation, not a true allergy. This is the most common reaction to NRL gloves. Because of the intense focus on latex allergy today, many individuals who experience irritant contact dermatitis assume they are experiencing a latex allergy. It is very important to assess reactions carefully to determine their cause so that the right treatment can be implemented.</li> | ||
<li>Allergic Contact Dermatitis</li> | <li>Allergic Contact Dermatitis</li> | ||
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<li>Systemic Allergic Response (Immediate or Type I Hypersensitivity)</li> | <li>Systemic Allergic Response (Immediate or Type I Hypersensitivity)</li> | ||
<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> | ||
<li>The table below describes each type of reaction:</li> | <li>The table below describes each type of reaction:</li> | ||
</ol> | </ol> | ||