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Latex allergy: an emerging problem in theatres.

C Keh¹, Y Soon, L S Wong

¹Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK.

International Journal of Clinical Practice

|February 28, 2001

Summary

Many UK theatres lack latex allergy protocols and latex-free products, leading to patient and staff reactions. Implementing these measures could significantly reduce latex allergy complications in surgical settings.

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Area of Science:

Medical Research
Allergy and Immunology
Healthcare Management

Background:

Natural rubber latex allergy is a growing concern for patients and healthcare professionals.
Surgical environments pose a risk due to the prevalence of latex-containing products.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the availability of latex allergy protocols in UK operating theatres.
To determine the provision of essential latex-free products in these settings.
To investigate the incidence of latex allergy reactions among patients and theatre staff.

Main Methods:

A postal questionnaire survey was distributed to theatre managers across 205 hospitals in England, Scotland, and Wales.
Response rate was 58.5% (120 hospitals).
Data collected included protocol availability, latex-free product provision, and reported latex allergy complaints.

Main Results:

Approximately two-thirds of surveyed theatres lacked a dedicated latex allergy protocol.
Less than one-third of UK theatres had readily available latex-free products.
Significant numbers of adverse events were reported: 505 patient reactions (including 4 deaths and 18 anaphylaxes) and 239 staff reactions (including 1 severe anaphylaxis).

Conclusions:

The study highlights a critical gap in preparedness for latex allergy management in UK surgical settings.
Widespread adoption of latex allergy protocols and ensuring availability of latex-free products are crucial.
Implementing these measures has the potential to substantially decrease latex-related morbidity and mortality in operating theatres.

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