title: Nationwide survey of hospital practices when compounding parenteral nutrition solutions in latex-allergic patients.
abstract: We surveyed 100 institutions in 50 states, varying in size from 50 to 1,000 beds. The purpose of this survey was to examine the policies and techniques hospitals used in confirming latex allergy (LA) in patients and preparing parenteral nutrition (PN) for LA patients. Our survey indicated that within the institutions in our study, many inpatient pharmacists do not use any defined method for confirming LA other than what is documented in the patient profile upon admission. Most inpatient pharmacies are not aware of any institutional policy concerning parenteral medications in LA patients, and some do not identify the importance of LA in preparing PN. It is apparent from the results of this survey that uniform guidelines or practice standards for this important issue should be developed. Although the publications on LA are numerous, they mostly deal with the exposure to latex gloves or latex devices. Knowledge of preparing parenteral medications for LA patients in the literature is minimal. It is also clear that awareness and knowledge of pharmacy personnel should be enhanced. Finally, we are hoping that this survey will send a clear message to pharmacy organizations to develop guidelines or pharmacy practice standards for this issue, and for health institutions to develop policies and make them available to their personnel.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lathrop Street, Suite G119, PA 15213, USA. abdelattis@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abd El-Atti
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yourich
authors.forename: Kelley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wasicek
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003625:Data Collection; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004349:Drug Packaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*