Latex allergy : Considerations for the care of pediatric patients and employee safety

Certain groups of patients and health care workers are at high risk for developing latex allergy. In the perioperative arena, there is an increased risk for this allergy due to the mode and frequency of latex exposure. Using a multidisciplinary team approach, nurses must institute policies and procedures for precautions to take with latex to ensure that patients and employees remain in a safe environment. Through education, research and collaboration with industry and health care professionals, latex sensitization can be minimized and latex allergic reactions avoided.