Are urologists prepared for latex-allergic patients?
OBJECTIVE
To determine how prepared operating departments are to manage latex-allergic patients, and particularly urologists, because the highest incidence of latex allergy occurs in patients with spina bifida who undergo frequent urological procedures.


METHODS
A standard questionnaire about the provision of latex-free equipment within operating theatres was completed by the 72 hospitals surveyed (33 district general, 27 teaching, six children's and six private hospitals).


RESULTS
Anaesthetic latex-free equipment was available in five of the children's hospitals, 56% of the teaching hospitals, 45% of the district general hospitals and two of the private hospitals. A latex-free catheter only was provided in two of the children's hospitals, 30% of the teaching hospitals and 12% of the district general hospitals. In addition, one of the children's hospitals and one of the private hospitals had a comprehensive range of urological latex-free equipment available.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey shows that many hospitals are inadequately prepared to manage latex-allergic patients, because they lack anaesthetic and urological latex-free equipment.
Sidwell
R U
RU
Department of Dermatology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Green
J S
JS
Basarab
T
T
D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011364:Professional Practice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D014572:Urology