title: A latex-safe environment is in everyone's best interest.
abstract: Given the increasing number of both health care workers and patients who are allergic to latex, it has become critical for hospitals to create latex-safe environments. Though not an easy task, it is possible when departments work together especially with materials management. But due to financial implications, administration should be involved at the inception of an interdisciplinary committee charged with effecting change. One of the many issues to be addressed is constructing a comprehensive latex policy.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Health System, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cusick
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity; D008421:Materials Management, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*