Banning Latex

[Woody76559]

I'm just wondering what people think about a nationwide ban on Latex gloves. More and more people are developing allergies to Latex since so much is made with it. In the world of EMS it seems like more of us are allergic. What do y'all think?

[Guest]

I'm all for the latex ban, to much allergies it shouldn't even be used anymore

[medstudent30]

Well here is my two cents worth. Question though......what do ya do if you have a patient with a latex allergy and low and behold.......no latex free gloves????? And this is coming from someone who is allergic to latex.

[Woody76559]

We already solved that on my department. We are completely latex-free. Nothing on our truck contacins latex. Not even the band-aids. And my FD is the same as well. I have an severe latex allergy. Not worth the anaphylaxis.

[EMS-Cat]

Vinyl and nitrile are becoming more and more the standard where I am for just this reason. Since some of our patients can't speak for themselves when they need our care, it only makes sense.

JMHO - YMMV.

[KEMSgrl]

A friend and classmate of mine is highly allergic to latex, as in anaphylactic shock. My agency is completely latex free but hers isn't. They still use latex tourniquets for IV starts and latex NCs and band aids. She's tried to get them to change over, but with little success. Go figure. I'm all for a latex ban. Besides, the colorful gloves are a conversation piece with some people

[Woody76559]

I would love to get hold of the director for her service.

[Dustdevil]

What kind of tourniquets are y'all using now?

[Ridryder 911]

We use non latex tourniquet... I do not support the ban and here is why.. ever tried to feel intricate parts of the body with vinyl gloves ? Sorry it is not the same... yes, if you are allergic to latex use something else.. if not so be it.

I think you will find it hard to see physicians and especially surgeons ever switching over... I know most thorough a fit when those kits come with vinyl gloves, nothing like trying to feel a bleeder or part of an organ with a vinyl glove on .

Lot of people think plastic and latex are the same.. nasal cannulas and most catheters etc.. are made of plastic vinyl not latex... (rubber) ...

Be safe,

Ridryder 911

[EMS-Cat]

We use non latex tourniquet... I do not support the ban and here is why.. ever tried to feel intricate parts of the body with vinyl gloves ? Sorry it is not the same... yes, if you are allergic to latex use something else.. if not so be it.

I think you will find it hard to see physicians and especially surgeons ever switching over... I know most thorough a fit when those kits come with vinyl gloves, nothing like trying to feel a bleeder or part of an organ with a vinyl glove on .

Lot of people think plastic and latex are the same.. nasal cannulas and most catheters etc.. are made of plastic vinyl not latex... (rubber) ...

Be safe,

Ridryder 911

I agree about vinyl: it's really hard to get a good 'feel' with them. Good fitting nitrile, on the other hand, can give you the same 'touch' that latex does. I spent a period of time in the OR as a scrub [in the Army reserve] and worked with a couple of docs with latex problems. The entire team would wear nitrile and we had no problems. There's a bit of a learning curve involved, but it can work.