title: Impact of a latex policy on an acute NHS hospital: an audit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A latex policy was introduced in 1999 in a large, acute UK hospital.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To audit the impact of the policy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interview of the managers of 40 wards between April 2001 and July 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A policy was available on only 26 (65%) of the wards. Compliance with the policy was limited to 20 (50%) wards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compliance with the policy was low in the hospital. Staff and patients are being unnecessarily exposed to the hazard of latex.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health, Navy House, Fife, UK. Linda.Bell@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: A David
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Straine
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006291:Health Policy; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013222:State Medicine
chemical_list: D007840:Latex