Health care worker disability due to latex allergy and asthma: a cost analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The reported prevalence of occupational allergy to natural rubber latex is 8% to 17%, and that of latex-induced occupational asthma is 2.5% to 6%. Conversion of medical facilities to "latex-safe" can reduce employee sensitization, impairment, and disability. The purpose of this study was to determine the cost of a latex-safe approach, compared with that of continued latex glove use, and to identify the level of worker disability required to make the latex-safe approach financially preferable to a health care institution.


METHODS
The costs of 2 strategies--latex-safe vs the status quo--were calculated from the perspective of 3 health care institutions. A break-even point was calculated for each facility.


RESULTS
In all facilities, the cost of using nonlatex gloves exceeded the cost of using latex gloves. In all 3 facilities, however, 1% or fewer of those at risk would have to become fully disabled or fewer than 2% would have to become partially disabled for the continued use of latex gloves to exceed the cost of the latex-safe approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care facilities, regardless of size, are likely to benefit financially from becoming latex-safe even if latex-related disability levels are extremely low.
Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University, Atlanta, Ga. 30322, USA. vphil01@sph.emory.edu
V L
VL
Phillips
M A
MA
Goodrich
T J
TJ
Sullivan
D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000191:economics*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000191:economics*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000191:economics*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics