A quality improvement approach to latex precautions

1. When Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) updated its latex precautions, the staff used a nine-step process: find a process to improve; organize a team that knows the process; clarify current knowledge of the process; understand the causes of process variation; select the process improvement; plan the improvement and continue data collection; do the improvement, data collection, and analysis; check and study results; and act to hold gains and to continue to improve the process. 2. It is our responsibility as nurses to safeguard patients who are at high risk for latex allergy. Our vision at ACH is to simplify nursing care for the latex sensitive patient. This is achieved by implementation of hospital policy and departmental protocols, improvement of communication, education of staff members and patients/families, and commitment from all hospital employees to quality patient care. 3. Updating hospital policy and protocols regarding latex sensitivity is an important but challenging task. Use of the quality improvement process facilitates and expedites change.