Because any exposure to latex can cause symptoms in someone who
is allergic to latex, it is critical that home healthcare managers
take steps to promote a latex-safe environment when necessary.
Some steps managers can take for employees with known or suspected
latex allergies are:
 |
Develop policies and procedures for handling
a latex-allergic employee |
|
Document the employee's symptoms and occurrences |
|
Send the employee to occupational health or
a physician for an evaluation of symptoms and causes |
|
Evaluate the employee's job description and
work site for products and supplies containing natural rubber
latex |
|
Provide safe product alternatives for the employee
to use (e.g. latex-free gloves) |
|
Have the employee obtain a medical alert bracelet
for identification of a latex allergy |
|
Document all steps taken for the management
of an employee who is allergic to latex
|
|
Integrate a latex allergy screening tool as
part of the assessment |
|
Document the allergy clearly on the clinical
record |
|
Remove all products containing natural rubber
latex (NRL) |
|
Develop policies and procedures for handling
a patient with latex allergies |
|
Provide educational information to the patient
and family on latex allergies |
|
Keep a list of safe, latex-free product alternatives
in the patient's record |
|
Notify the local rescue unit of the patient's
allergy
|
When dealing with the issue of latex allergies, home healthcare
managers must be aware of and understand the mechanisms behind it.
By taking steps to help ensure safe environments for latex sensitive
individuals, managers can effectively deal with the challenge.
