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O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
A spectrum of reactions can occur when allergic individuals are exposed to
natural rubber latex allergens, depending on the route and the level of
exposure. Irritant contact dermatitis is a non-allergic reaction. Localized con-
tact urticaria can occur with itchy patches of hives that result from contact
exposure to the skin. The inhalation of allergens can lead to upper and
lower respiratory allergy symptoms — such as allergic rhinitis and conjunc-
tivitis, angioedema and asthma — and in rare cases, systemic anaphylaxis.
At Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md., we began the process of
becoming latex-safe by switching out latex examination gloves for non-latex
alternatives. Sterile procedure gloves supplied in custom procedure packs were
next. The last bullet we bit were the gloves used by the medical staff. The pro-
posed transition caused infighting among the surgeons, many of whom threat-
ened to quit because they could no longer use latex gloves.
The surgery department's chairman finally said, Listen, we're doing this. If
you want to quit, quit. That's your choice. The hard line stance worked. Johns
Hopkins now spends more each
year to stock the ORs with
synthetic glove alternatives
that our surgeons say come
closest to matching the tactile
feel of natural rubber latex
gloves. Latex gloves are no
longer used in the OR and we feel
staff and patient safety are worth the
added expense.
— Robert G. Hamilton,
PhD, D(ABMLI)
SKIN SENSITIVITY
Why Latex-Safe Matters
z COMFORT MATTERS Some
gloves can cause serious harm to
surgical team members with sensi-
tivities to rubber latex allergens.
