Incidents of latex allergy make it essential for hospitals to
develop strategies to identify and manage at-risk patients and
healthcare workers. Because anesthetists are pivotal in perioperative
patient management, they are in a prime position to develop protocols
and strategies. One UK hospital's anesthetic department developed
an effective strategy that can be used as a guide for other hospitals.
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Recognition of a problem requiring action |
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Collection of a problem requiring action |
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Identification of at-risk patients through
knowledge of risk factors and immunological testing |
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Formulation of a protocol in conjunction with
the risk management team and development of a latex-free equipment
database, including latex-free gloves |
|
Education of staff and patients and presentation
of the protocol |
Comprehensive education, awareness and good communication are
the cornerstones to ensuring that a latex-free environment is provided
throughout a patient's hospital stay. The establishment of a strategy
and protocol for latex allergy awareness is an effective and necessary
way for hospitals to manage latex sensitization.
