A medical-center-wide, multidisciplinary approach to the problem of natural rubber latex allergy.
Latex is a common cause of occupational allergy in health care workers; latex-sensitized patients are at increased risk of allergic reactions in medical environments. Skin test reagents and latex-specific immunoglobulin E immunoassays were established for diagnosis of latex allergy. Inhibition immunoassays were developed for measuring latex aeroallergens and latex allergens in rubber products. A registry of latex-sensitive employees was established. High-allergen gloves were removed from the medical center inventory; latex aeroallergen levels subsequently declined. Despite an increasing number of gloves used annually, expenditures for gloves in 1994 were lower than in previous years. Latex-sensitive individuals can be identified using skin tests or immunoassays. Latex aeroallergen levels in medical environments can be reduced substantially at lower cost by using powder-free rubber gloves with lower allergen content.
Hunt
L W
LW
Mayo Medical Center Latex Allergy Task Force, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
Boone-Orke
J L
JL
Fransway
A F
AF
Fremstad
C E
CE
Jones
R T
RT
Swanson
M C
MC
McEvoy
M T
MT
Miller
L K
LK
Majerus
E T
ET
Luker
P A
PA
Scheppmann
D L
DL
Webb
M J
MJ
Yunginger
J W
JW
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D006282:Health Personnel; D006770:Hospitals, Group Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D010316:Particle Size; D012307:Risk Factors
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D007840:Latex