Latex allergy determination

[Michael Wishart]

Hi all

This is a non-IC related question, one of those ‘other’ things we often get asked to fix.

We are a private acute surgical facility looking for a ‘rational’ way to manage latex allergy in procedural areas. Current guidelines say where powdered latex gloves and equipment are used, you should ‘air’ a room or theatre for three hours to ensure no airborne latex particles are present. Whilst we have *almost* eliminated the use of powdered latex gloves, there are some old surgeons who won’t change, so we cannot easily just say we don’t need to do this.

The ASCIA Guidelines [http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/papers/management-of-latex-allergic-patients/hospital-management#b] state:

Use of a standardised questionnaire for all elective patients enquiring about reactions experienced with latex gloves, balloons or condoms. Questions should be aimed at detecting individuals at risk; identifying patients from high risk occupations, and in particular, those with atopy, and those with spina bifida. If clinically relevant, consider further investigation.

Does anyone use such a ‘standardised questionnaire’ to identify latex allergy risk? We can’t find a tool which our anaesthetists or surgeons can apply to determine the risk. Does anyone use a tool that is applied to latex allergy risk to determine what precautions need to be taken?

The things we get asked to do….

Thanks
Michael

Michael Wishart
Infection Control Coordinator

A 627 Rode Road, Chermside QLD 4032
P (07) 3326 3068 | F (07) 3607 2226 | E michael.wishart@svha.org.au | W http://www.hsnph.org.au
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[Catherine Macknight]

Hi we managed the risk by making the facility latex free-( gloves included) – opportunity presented and taken with a green fields hospitals.
From memory NSW was required to remove at least the powered gloves quite a number of years ago.
With thanks Cathy

Catherine Macknight
Infection Control Consultant
[Chris O`Brien Lifehouse]
119-143 Missenden Road
Camperdown NSW 2050
PO BOX M33 Missenden Road NSW 2050

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*hWK4nY*

Hi all

This is a non-IC related question, one of those ‘other’ things we often get asked to fix.

We are a private acute surgical facility looking for a ‘rational’ way to manage latex allergy in procedural areas. Current guidelines say where powdered latex gloves and equipment are used, you should ‘air’ a room or theatre for three hours to ensure no airborne latex particles are present. Whilst we have *almost* eliminated the use of powdered latex gloves, there are some old surgeons who won’t change, so we cannot easily just say we don’t need to do this.

The ASCIA Guidelines [http://www.allergy.org.au/health-professionals/papers/management-of-latex-allergic-patients/hospital-management#b] state:

Use of a standardised questionnaire for all elective patients enquiring about reactions experienced with latex gloves, balloons or condoms. Questions should be aimed at detecting individuals at risk; identifying patients from high risk occupations, and in particular, those with atopy, and those with spina bifida. If clinically relevant, consider further investigation.

Does anyone use such a ‘standardised questionnaire’ to identify latex allergy risk? We can’t find a tool which our anaesthetists or surgeons can apply to determine the risk. Does anyone use a tool that is applied to latex allergy risk to determine what precautions need to be taken?

The things we get asked to do….

Thanks
Michael

Michael Wishart
Infection Control Coordinator

A 627 Rode Road, Chermside QLD 4032
P (07) 3326 3068 | F (07) 3607 2226 | E michael.wishart@svha.org.au | W http://www.hsnph.org.au
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MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.

The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.

Archive of all messages are available at http://aicalist.org.au/archives – registration and login required.

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