Understanding Latex Allergy
in the Healthcare Setting

ESTABLISHING A LATEX-SAFE HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT Management of Type I latex allergy includes avoidance of latex products for all NRLallergic individuals and education for all healthcare workers, patients, and family members. For Type I allergic individuals, avoidance of NRL protein through the use of synthetic gloves is essential. Creation of a powder-free, latex-safe environment is also an important step toward risk reduction in the healthcare setting. Forming a multidisciplinary committee is suggested for the establishment of a latexsafe healthcare environment. The committee should be responsible for developing uniform policies and procedures to protect both patients and employees. All healthcare products containing latex should be identified. Historically, gloves have been the largest contributor of the latex load in a healthcare setting. The next step is to, at a minimum, convert all powdered products to powder-free ones. All latex products that come into contact with patients, staff, and visitors should be systematically reviewed, and alternatives evaluated. Education of the staff is critical to the success of a latex-safe environment. By verifying everyone’s understanding and competence, it minimizes the potential risk when a latexallergic individual presents for care. Latex education should be a yearly competency for all staff members. By creating a latex-safe environment, many healthcare organizations have been able to return workers with NRL allergies back to work, and potentially reduce further sensitization of staff members. This provides an overall safer healthcare environment for patients and healthcare workers alike. The decision to avoid glove-related incidents is a prudent risk management strategy.

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