SAVAHCS

NURSING

VALORS
2017
Prevention of Latex Exposure
iN the critical care setting
Presented By:
Rachel Synkelma, Taylor Romero, Kelly Sharpe
 Prevention of Exposure in Patients with
Latex Allergy
Problem Possible Causes

Latex sensitive Although the VA is considered a

latex free environment there
patients are at risk remain a few frequently used
products that contain latex
Patient rooms are not identified
for latex exposure in as latex free when applicable
General lack of awareness of
the critical care
which products contain latex
Lack of communication
setting
regarding allergies
Latex free foley catheters and
sterile gloves are not readily
available in Omnicell
Consequences of Latex Exposure
In Patients with Latex Allergy
Contact dermatitis (nonallergic reaction)
General itching, redness, chafing,
and discomfort
With repeated
Type I sensitivity (IgE mediated immediate
reaction)
exposures reactions
asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, (Pollart, 2009) can increase in
orbital edema, angioedema,
0%
lipidemia, anaphylaxis, urticaria,
death)
severity and
sensitivity
Type IV sensitivity (delayed 6-48 hours
after exposure)
Erythema, swelling, cracking skin, (ALAA, 2016)
itching, weeping, dryness of skin

(AANA, 2014)
 High Risk Populations
Some patient populations are at greater risk for latex allergy
History of
Long surgical/inpatient Hx
Spinabifida
Asthma, dermatitis, eczema
Repeated bladder catheterizations
Food allergies
Bananas, avocado, kiwi, chestnuts
Former health care occupation
Repeated occupational exposure to plastics
Anaphylaxis from any allergy
Female patients (obstetrical hx, contraceptives
association)
(AANA, 2014)
 Current System
Healthcare NOn- latex Current VA
No Latex foley
workers do not Memorandum
Allergy catheters and
routinely requires units
reminder in sterile gloves
check for to make latex
patients room are not
allergies allergy plan
or on patient available on
units

25% of Healthcare
workers routinely Current Nursing has to call
check for latex Inconsistent policy
recommendation is to down to Inventory
allergy when asking have identifiers on
leaves hospital
patient about allergy management for vulnerable
patient in patient care
status supplies
area
(Al-Niaimi, et al., 2013) (ALAA, 2016)
The VA has
latex-safe
environment
, however
some All units
frequently
have
used items
still contain possibile
latex exposure

Only procedures are

to assess allergies
before patient care,
which happens
inconsistently.
 What are other Facilities Doing?
HOspital Protocols
Time out in OR for
allergies
Additional education
on latex allergy
Door
severity REPORTING markers?/
Must have non-latex writstbands
catheters always
readily available
(Minami, , Barnard, & Bilimoria, 2017)

Case study:
insertion of latex foley
Facilities should:
Latex-safe Areas: in OR with known latex
allergy >maintain database for
have non-latex Patient went into latex & non-latex
alternative anaphylaxis in OR alternative materials
materials in ALL Facility looked at >document cases with
incident & realized no
patient care areas readily available latex-related reactions
(AANA, 2014)
non-latex foley in OR (AANA, 2014)
(Minami, , Barnard, & Bilimoria,
2017)
 Possible Solutions
Patient Report Latex-free
wristband events foley
and door through catheters and
sterile gloves
labeled ePERS
on units

Track events
Low cost, simply move through existing
inventory around system
 Expected Outcomes
Latex exposure in a tHERE WILL BE NO
Door should be REPORTS OF LATEX Evaluation
known allergic labeled in all through ePERS
patient should EXPOSED PATIENTS
known latex WITH KNOWN LATEX reporting
never happen allergy patients ALLERGY
1 2 3 4
Impact of How its
Change measured
Fewer Yearly
reports of auditing of
latex ePERS
exposure to reports of
those that latex
have a allergy
known latex reactions
allergy
Thank You
For Your Attention
 References
AANA (2014). Latex Allergy Management Guidelines. American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Retrieved from
http://www.aana.com/resources2/professionalpractice/Pages/Latex-Allergy-Protocol.aspx

ALAA (2016). Guidelines for the Management of Latex Allergies. American Latex Allergy Association. Retrieved from
http://latexallergyresources.org/articles/guidelines-management-latex-allergies

Al-Niaimi, F., Chiang, Y. Z., Chiang, Y. N., & Williams, J. (2013). Latex allergy: Assessment of knowledge, appropriate use of gloves
and prevention practice among hospital healthcare workers: Latex allergy: Assessment of knowledge, appropriate use of gloves and
prevention practice. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 38(1), 77-80. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2230.2012.04450.x

Minami, C. A., Barnard, C., & Bilimoria, K. Y. (2017). Management of a patient with a latex allergy. Jama, 317(3), 309-310.
doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20034
Pollart, S. (2009). Latex allergy. Am Fam Physician, 80(12), 1413-1420.
Southern Arizona Veterans Hospital [photograph] retrieved from http://vietnamveterannews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/338c.png