1. Managing Latex Allergy in the Cardiac Surgical Patient
- Author
-
Rebecca Hess and Mary-Michael Brown
- Subjects
education.field_of_study ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Allergic reaction ,Critical Care ,Heart Diseases ,business.industry ,Population ,Critical Care Nursing ,medicine.disease ,Perioperative Care ,Patient Education as Topic ,Latex Hypersensitivity ,Latex allergy ,Health care ,medicine ,Humans ,business ,education ,Intensive care medicine ,Emergency Treatment ,Contact dermatitis ,Care staff ,Anaphylaxis ,Surgical patients - Abstract
Latex allergy affects about 1% of the general population and between 10% and 17% of health care workers. The severity of a latex allergic reaction can range from contact dermatitis to anaphylaxis and death. Critical care personnel must be able to identify cardiac surgical patients at risk for a latex allergy and supply alternative equipment, and medication. In addition, knowledge and provision of emergency treatment of a Type I latex reaction is paramount. Critical care staff need to educate both the patient and the family about latex allergy, including latex allergy testing and community resources.
- Published
- 1998
- Full Text
- View/download PDF