Resources
Books
The Epidemic of Healthcare Worker Injury: An Epidemiology
[William Charney, Guy Fragala, CRC Publishing, December 1998. ISBN 0849333822. $69.95]
This book provides an industry-wide analysis that focuses on the major categories of healthcare worker injury. Text in Chapter 7 contains an epidemiology of latex allergy.
Search by title of book at listed Web site.
Case Studies
Latex conversion at Geisinger Medical Center
A significant decrease in workers' compensation claims for latex-related illness in a major medical center followed a switch to powder-free latex gloves. Geisinger Medical Center, PA published a study measuring the change in latex-related illness claims before and after their transition to powder-free latex gloves. There was a significant reduction in worker claims for latex-related illness in the period following the change to powder-free latex gloves.
View the Dermatitis abstract - Geisinger Medical (doc)(48kb)
Latex Conversions at Norton Healthcare
Full conversions to latex alternative products can prove daunting. Read
how Norton Healthcare learned these challenges first hand in it's own
latex-free conversion and how Premier
contributed to it's success.
View Norton case study
here.
Latex-Safe Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt University
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University describes how they eliminated virtually all latex medical products from their hospital, becoming a "latex safe" hospital.
View Children’s Vanderbilt case study here
Other publications and resources
OSHA Safety and Health Information Bulletin- Gloves
January, 2008
Bulletin: Potential for sensitization and possible allergic reaction to natural rubber latex gloves and other natural rubber products.
Download SHIB1 28 08 (pdf) (408KB)
AAD - American Academy of Dermatology - Position Paper
on Latex
Allergy
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, July 1998. Volume 39 Number 1, pp. 98 to 106. Purchase price: $12.00]
Call: 800.453.4351or email periodical.service@mosby.com
AANA - American Association of Nurse Anesthetists - Latex Allergy Protocol
Protocol includes latex avoidance precautions, recommendations for patient care, emergency response and management, and alternative management options. Reference list included.
The document may be downloaded at the listed site or viewed online. Go to: “Professional,” “Latex Protocol.”
AANA - American Association of Occupational Health Nurses - Position Statement - Natural Rubber Latex Sensitivity
[AAOHN Journal, August 1997, p. 375]
http://web.archive.org/web/20001018130619/http://www.aaohn.org/natrubr.htm
ANA - American Nurses Association - Position Paper on Latex Allergy
The American Nurses Association supports immediate interventions to reduce the risk of latex sensitization and ensure safe outcomes for latex-sensitized patients and personnel in all healthcare settings. Successful interventions will require collaboration between healthcare providers and administrators, with support from the research community, government agencies, manufacturers, professional organizations, sensitized patients, and patient advocacy groups.
The document may be downloaded at the listed site or viewed online. Go to: “Reading room,” “ANA Position Statements,” “Workplace advocacy,” “Latex allergy.”
Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
Comprehensive summary article that includes a table of the organizations that have issued position statements regarding latex.
Register and view online.
Asepsis
Latex Allergy: A Current Challenge, Denise M. Korniewicz, Vol.20 No. 3, Third Quarter 1999.
This comprehensive summary article includes a table of the organizations that have issued position statements regarding latex.
The documents may be downloaded at:
http://web.archive.org/web/20000618085817/www.jnjmedical.com/asepsis/latex_allg.asp
ENA - Emergency Nurses Association - Position Paper on Latex Allergy
The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) believes that emergency patients, emergency professionals, and support staff should not be exposed and sensitized to natural rubber latex. The ENA urges all emergency medical services and emergency care settings to provide latex-safe environments for all individuals.
The document may be downloaded at listed site or viewed online. Go to: “Education,” “Position statement,” “Latex Allergy.”
Guidelines for the Management of Latex Allergies and Safe Latex Use in Healthcare Facilities
These guidelines are intended as a framework to guide a healthcare facility in the management of safe latex medical product use. The decision to use latex or non-latex products in specific circumstances is the responsibility of individual facilities and healthcare professionals based on informed judgment and available scientific information.
The full document may be downloaded. Go to: “Physicians,” “Latex Allergy Home Page.”
Latex Allergy Test
The FDA has cleared for marketing the first blood test to measure latex antibodies in blood. The new test, called the AlaStat Latex-Specific IgE Allergen Test Kit, is made by Diagnostic Products Corp. of Los Angeles.
The full document may be downloaded.
http://www.dpcweb.com/medical/allergy/tech_reports/ZB125-B Latex tech report.pdf
Latex Allergy Tests - Pacific Northwest Foundation
This site provides an edited compendium of medical information on latex allergy testing, and discusses three different types of tests: Diagnostic Products Corporation’s AlaStat Latex-Specific Allergen Test Kit, Pharmacia ImmunoCAP k82, and Hycor (Latex allergen test).
Management of Natural Rubber Latex Allergy and Selecting the Right Glove for the Right Task in Healthcare Facilities, Guideline on
This document provides guidelines for the management of individuals who are working with, or exposed to, natural rubber latex products in a healthcare facility environment.
The full document may be downloaded.