latex only for blood draws???

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Jul 10, 2005

I'd be screwed if that were the case... I have a latex allergy. I just use the non-latex gloves and stuff. Never had a problem.

PeachyOrthoRN, RN · Jul 10, 2005

We have several phelbotomists that are latex allergic and have to use non-latex gloves I don't see a problem with that.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2005

We have several phelbotomists that are latex allergic and have to use non-latex gloves I don't see a problem with that.

That's what I thought. I guess this woman is just using outdated information. Thanks.

palesarah · Jul 10, 2005

That's what I thought. I guess this woman is just using outdated information. Thanks.

Must be- my hospital doesn't even stock latex gloves anymore, they got rid of them altogether about a year ago

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 10, 2005

One of the other students in my class is insisting her clinical instructor told her always to use latex supplies for venipuncture or PICC line blood draws - never the nitrile. Now, I wasn't there for this, as I'm in a different rotation, but this seems ridiculous. Does anyone have an idea why this would be? I'm thinking she probably is relying on info from the dark ages of non-latex products, when they really weren't as good, but given the astronomical rates of latex allergy among health care workers (myself included, which is why this concerns me) it seems odd that an instructor would be giving out this instruction.

Oh, my, no. This is terrible. I hope somone (you) can educate her about latex allergies.

Someone allergic to latex can DIE RIGHT THERE!!

People who are allergic to latex proteins carry the most high risk. Gloves are not the only product(s) either: foley catheters, stethoscope tubings, tapes (certain adhesive), drug vial stoppers, ECG electrodes, just to name a few. Other non-medical items are as simple as the elastic in underwear!!

Latex gloves with powder actually absorb the proteins and make the reaction much more violent leading to anaphylaxis and/or death.

It is important that the products read, "Latex-Free", not Hypoallergenic

too.

There are proposed regulations before the FDA now that will ensure proper labeling on any product containg latex . Latex allergy protocols are being developed by some institutions.

So, I hope you will research this issue with your instructor and make sure no student is encouraged to use latex products universially. Good luck!!!! And be safe!!!!

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Jul 10, 2005

I am a patient but my local hospital (children's hospital in boston, mass) is latex FREE

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jul 11, 2005

tch, I wish our entire hospital latex free. Then I wouldn't have to hunt for latex gloves every time I had to do anything - they drilled into us that as students, we should never put anything in our pockets (I guess so we don't walk off with stuff?) so I have to go searching alllllllll the time. So frustrating.

pedi-RN · Jul 11, 2005

Children's Hospital in Dallas has an awful lot of kids with venipunctures and PICC lines, and they are a latex free facility! I think someone is living in the Dark Ages!!

Holli

TiffyRN, BSN, PhD · Jul 11, 2005

I do remember being told in the past that non-latex gloves were more prone to break and have pin-holes, but that was several years ago and I hope the technology has improved. Every hopsital I've worked at in the past 3-4 years has gone to non-latex gloves and in general eliminated most of the latex products (though none are completely latex-free they are working on it). I work NICU and all spina bifida kids are to be treated latex-free due to the high incidence of latex allergies previously documented in spina bifida patients.

Latex is becoming pretty rare around this area anyway. I'm sure some specialty items are still latex but the most common items have all converted over (gloves, syringe stoppers, catheters, tourniquets).