| Learning Objective #1: Understand issues related to latex allergies among health care workers | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Comprehend the economic impact and costs associated with converting from latex to non-latex gloves for health care workers |
Methods: The study was a two-year, longitudinal design with a retrospective and prospective arm. Employees recalled their symptoms with NRL exposure in the 6 months prior to conversion of the OR to a non-powdered environment versus current symptoms associated with NRL exposure. The prospective component included a 14-month data collection period. Survey data was collected and NRL specific Age (Radioallergosorbent Test, RAST) serology was performed on subjects who consented.
Results: A total of 103 HCWs participated. Nearly two-thirds (64%) had worked in healthcare more than 6 years and fifty-two percent (43/82) reported a history of atopy. Of those, 44% (36/82) reported hay fever/nasal allergies while, 30% (21/8) had a history of contact dermatitis. There was a significant decrease in overall NRL related symptoms after conversion to non-powdered gloves (McNemar test, p = 0.007). Prior to glove conversion (T0), nearly one-half (44%, 36/82) of the operating room staff reported symptoms related to NRL exposure. By T4, only 27% (22/82) reported NRL related symptoms. Worker's compensation costs related to latex allergy for OR employees ranged from $5250 to $10,000 per worker. Once converted, no employees reported work related symptoms.
Conclusions: Worldwide, over 8 million HCWs use 12 billion NRL gloves annually and the short-term costs associated with non-powdered latex gloves are higher since they are priced fifty cents to one dollar more than powdered latex gloves. However, it is far less expensive to convert to non-powdered gloves than to pay for workers compensation cases long term medical care, or medical insurance.