OBSTETRIC THEATRE GUIDELINE FOR WOMEN WITH LATEX ALLERGY (PRINCESS OF WALES HOSPITAL SITE) Approval date: 15 th November 2018

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1 OBSTETRIC THEATRE GUIDELINE FOR WOMEN WITH LATEX ALLERGY (PRINCESS OF WALES HOSPITAL SITE) Speciality: Approval body: Maternity Approval date: 15 th November 2018 Date of Review: 15 th November 2021

2 Obstetric Theatre Guideline for Patients with Latex Allergy These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Health Board Natural Rubber Latex Allergy policy A. Communication The patients drug chart, medical and nursing notes should be clearly marked as Latex Allergy. All staff, including midwives and doctors on labour ward should be informed when a patient with latex allergy arrives on the unit. The handover whiteboard should include the patients latex allergy status. 24 hours notice should be given for elective cases. When booking the case, the ward diary should indicate that the patient has a latex allergy. B. Labour Ward On admission to the ante natal ward, a labour room should be prepared in readiness for the patient. o All latex items to be taken out of the labor room and only latex free gloves should be worn. o All surfaces wiped clean, including the bed frame. o New clean linen should be used for the bed. C. Theatres All Latex Allergy cases to be done in the second theatre unless there is time to prepare the first theatre appropriately. The second theatre in obstetrics is always kept latex free in POWH. The patient should be the first LSCS to be done in the morning in the event of an elective case. In the event of an unplanned admission, the theatre should be prepared once the patient arrives onto either ward 12 or labor ward. Preparation of theatre to include o Removal of all latex items from the scrub room ( see section F) o Removal of all latex items from theatre (see section F) o All theatre surfaces to be re-cleaned 1

3 o NO ENTRY LATEX ALLERGY notices to be displayed on theatre and scrub room doors. o The operating table to be covered with clean linen o Only designated staff to be allowed in theatres. All personnel should make sure that their clothing is latex free and all staff should wash their hands before patient contact. The surgical team should be made aware of the guidelines and the implications for the care of patient during surgery. D. Anaesthetics Only latex free gloves to be used at all times. Breathing circuits on the anaesthetic machines to be changed. Check and confirm that all equipment and drugs to be used are latex free. E. Recovery A latex free delivery room should be prepared for postoperative care until admitted to the postnatal ward. In the event of delivery room not being prepared as latex free in time, the patient should be recovered in theatre to reduce risk of exposure to latex until a room is ready. F. Equipment Most medical equipment is now latex free. As manufacturers and suppliers of equipment changes frequently, it is difficult to compile a list of all latex free products. It is the responsibility of the midwife, scrub team, obstetrician and anaesthetist to make sure that all equipment and disposables used are latex free before using them. The following items contain latex o Gloves - use latex free gloves o Gauntlets for manual removal of placenta o Urinary catheters - use silicone catheters o Sleek tape 2

4 G. Drugs Drugs in glass vials with rubber bungs may contain latex. Synthetic rubber, usually butyl or chlorobutyl rubber, does not contain latex (the drug information leaflet usually states what the bung is made of) If the rubber bung contains or is suspected of containing latex, and it is not possible to use an alternative drug, remove the rubber bung and use a filter needle to draw up the drug. Do not pass the needle through the rubber bung. Latex status of drugs may be found on MEDUSA The information provided is accurate at the time of writing, however, manufacturers / suppliers of equipment and drugs may change. 3

5 Maternity Services Checklist for Clinical Guidelines being Submitted for Approval Title of Guideline: Name(s) of Author: Chair of Group or Committee approving submission: Brief outline giving reasons for document being submitted for ratification Obstetric Theatre Guideline for Women with Latex Allergy (Princess of Wales Hospital site) Dermot Nicolson (Anaesthetics) Update of existing policy Details of persons included in consultation process: Name of Pharmacist (mandatory if drugs involved): n/a Issue / Version No: 2 Please list any policies/guidelines this document will supercede: Obstetric Theatre Guideline for Women with Latex Allergy Version one Date approved by Group: 15 th November 2018 Next Review / Guideline Expiry: 15 th November 2021 Please indicate key words you wish to be linked to document File Name: Used to locate where file is stores on hard drive latex Z:\npt_fs2\Maternity Incidents Stats Etc\Policies\Ratified - Obs 4