[debo_lpnER]

I've worked in the Er for 2 yrs now. Over the last year I have developed a latex allergy. Last Wednesday I was sent home on Emergency Medical leave because it has now started affecting my resp tract. The Ind Med MD dx me with allergic bronchitis-latex allergy. The problem is the D.O.N. has been dancing around the workman comp issue and I am home on my own sick time and PTO time until they figure out where a safe place for me is. I have a positive RAST test and have taken a 2nd one this week to see if my levels have shot through the roof. I am seriously thinking of seeing a lawyer this week to see where I stand. Do any of you know a nurse who has had to leave nursing because of Latex? Do you know a good Lawyer? If I am on leave from the hospital because it is not safe d/t latex, can I go to work in a latex free environment without messing myself up legally? What really sucks is that I am a good nurse and I love my job in the ER and now it's not safe for me to be there. We tried removing all latex from the Er, the only latex I was exposed to was the EMS or lab who carried gloves in their pockets. You don't even have to touch me with them. I can feel latex from across the room before I even see it. My skin flushes, my lips swell and I have had bronchitis for the last 12 weeks. My allergist said that it may take months to get out of my system. I welcome any advise, please email me if you like. debo_lpn@bellsouth.net

[azverte]

www.ena.org
Type"latex" in the search screen.
They have loads of info, position statements, etc.

Hope you feel better.

[Coldfoot]

Don't have any suggestion but can tell you about a nurse I work with. After several years in ER she also has developed a Latex allergy. Hers is REALLY extreame, she's been tubed twice for it, the last time after a resident put his gloved hand on her covered shoulder during a CODE. That was (I think) two years ago and she's still in nursing. I work with her at a fixedwing Critical Care Medevac service and she still works 3-4 shifts a week in the ER. Every now and then something will start to set her off (has happend once in the last 6 months) and she'll get some sq epi (along with the rest of the cocktail).The trick, she tells me, is to realize what is happening early and jumping on it.

My point, and I do have one , is you should be able to stay in ER if you want to. I'm not sure of the legalities, does this fall under the Disabilities act?

Good luck!

[athomas91]

w/ all the people that have/are developing this allergy (pt's included) - it is soooo stupid for hospitals not to have everything latex free - i am sorry you are having to go through this!!

[Dragonnurse1]

Latex-free environment???No such thing if you are that sensitive. Find a good lawyer in your area that spec. in WC. Even that may not help. Your lucky to have a positive rast. It will help with the legal system. The hospital will duck as long as possible. I Know!!
I spent 9yrs 3 mos in ER. My entire career. But I am still waiting for my former emp. to settle. I have been out since March. Every now and then I think that maybe I am making up the allergy and will take a chance. Guess what, It doesn't "go away". It doesn't "lclear the system"
It never leaves it can only get worse.
It is not covered under the ADA (go figure).
And to the person who knows a nurse still in ER with severe rx. Does she have a death wish. Because that is what is going to happen. Email me at Dragonnurse1@hotmail.com. I have 8 months of research I can share

[nursemary9]

Hi,

You do need to contact that Lawyer; also your Labor Relations Board in your City or State.

Hospitals have been aware of latex allergies for a long time now.

[nocngail]

http://www.pnf.org/latex_allergy.html

Debo_lpnER,
One of many sites if you haven't already seen it....this one seems to offer alot in one place. Some of the info may be a little old, but accurate from what I saw....and TONS of helpful links!
Education (both of self and employer if needed), assertiveness, and persistance will get you thru this I hope.
Life may not be the same anymore, but it's not over.

Hang in there!!!!!

[debo_lpnER]

Well after being off from the ER for one month while taking steroids for my "allergic bronchitis" they finally found me a place within one of our MD's offices. The DON promised to have the office cleared off all latex and cleaned several times over the Thanksgiving week (so to get all the fallout from the gloves)

So when I showed up I found that they moved the gloves out of the exam room to a back storage room. The sterile latex gloves had not been delivered. The tape and bandaids not changed and we still had the old BP cuffs with the latex cords.

I was beet red by noon. Then as I opened a drawer in one of the exam rooms I found loose latex gloves everywhere. They were in every room. By the 2nd morning the bronchitis was returning and I had swollen lips and my tongue was numb.

So now I am home again and the DON asked if I wanted to resign my position since there was no safe job for me within the hospital.
I called my lawyer - he is starting to file against them. The industrial med MD told me that he felt that the hospital wasn't responsible for my allergy. It was just unfortunate that I am someone with this problem. Of course he works for them. He did tell me before I went home to find a lawyer ... I didn't tell him that I already had.

I'm thinking I might check into working for an insurance co - checking claims. At least I can get a check. If the rubber bands and erasers don't do me in.

Deb

[lifeisbeautiful]

Deb, I am curious to hear how your case is going. I am so glad that you hired your own lawyer because the bottom line is that employers don't care. They will make a lame attempt to find you, what they consider a 'modified job', but it may not be and it may make you sick again. There hope is that you will quit, which lets them off the hook for everything. I hope you didn't resign your position in the ER. Is your lawyer working out any kind of settlement? Has State Disability or Workman's Compensation helped you at all financially? This is so interesting. I know these cases can drag on forever. Hope all is well.