GW SON SAIL Center Latex Usage Policy

Latex Usage

The George Washington University School of Nursing (GWU SON) Simulation and Innovation Learning (SAIL) Center is NOT a Latex-free facility. If you have a latex allergy, it is important to make the SAIL Center Simulation team aware and follow protective measures.

Policy Statement

The intent of the Latex Usage policy is to inform students, staff, faculty, and visitors about the possible exposure to latex while in the SAIL Center.

Reason for Policy

The purpose of this policy is to minimize risks associated with possible latex exposure among students, staff, faculty and visitors that are sensitized or may develop sensitivity to, natural rubber latex products/materials.

Who is Governed by this Policy

Students, staff, faculty, and visitors to the George Washington University (GWU) School of Nursing (SON) SAIL Center.

Policy

In the GWU SON SAIL Center, every precaution has been taken to remove latex from the skills labs, simulation space and classrooms. However, as the SAIL Center attempts to replicate healthcare environments, in addition to providing simulations and skills with real working healthcare equipment, the possibility of latex in the SAIL Center areas does exist. If you are allergic to latex or have had a previous allergic reaction to latex-like substances, please use caution when using or visiting the SAIL Center. The risk of exposure to latex does exist.

Definitions

Allergic Contact Dermatitis: A skin reaction to the chemical additives used during the manufacturing process. Signs include skin rash, including blisters that can develop as much as 24-48 hours after exposure. This can predispose the individual to develop more serious life-threatening allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis: A form of skin reaction that is not a true allergy causing symptoms that may include itchy, irritated areas of the skin.

Latex: A term used to describe products made using Natural Rubber Latex. “Latex” in this policy refers to subtypes of Latex that are known to cause an allergic response in sensitized individuals.

Latex Allergy: Is a reaction to one or more of the components of latex rubber products. Research has proven that latex is a sensitizer, in that a person can develop a reaction from exposure to it. This sensitivity can increase to the point where violent reactions may occur at the slightest exposure.

There are three recognized types of reaction:

Irritation - Non-allergic condition
Type IV - Delayed hypersensitivity caused by residual accelerators in latex rubber. Localized with no risk of systemic reaction
Type I - Immediate hypersensitivity caused by the natural protein residue in latex rubber. May be localized, but has the potential to become systemic at any time

Procedures

The SAIL center will have approved signage visible to the public regarding latex use within the SAIL center.

Labeling by manufacturers for devices composed of latex or all devices composed of or containing natural rubber that contact humans is intended to minimize risk and regulated by federal law. The manufacturer labels may appear on the device, labels, packages, or wrappers as applicable:

"Caution: This Product Contains Natural Rubber Latex Which May Cause Allergic Reactions." or "This Product Contains Dry Natural Rubber."
"Caution: The Packaging of This Product Contains Natural Rubber Latex Which May Cause Allergic Reactions." or "The Packaging of This Product Contains Dry Natural Rubber."
The following examples are not an exhaustive list of products that may contain latex:
- Disposable gloves, Goggles, Blood pressure cuffs, Stethoscopes
- Oral and nasal airways, Endotracheal tubes
- Injection ports, Intravenous tubing, Rubber tops of vial
- Baby bottle nipples, Pacifiers, Rubber bands, Wheelchair tires
- Tourniquets, Electrode pads, Wound drains

The SAIL center will provide students, staff, faculty and visitors with non-latex gloves to use when handling infectious materials. Current prevention strategies will be reevaluated using the Biosafety Level One/Two (BSL-1/2) Inspection Checklist whenever students, staff, faculty, or visitors experience signs or symptoms of latex allergy within the SAIL center.

Managing individuals with suspected or known latex allergy:

Provide education and training about latex allergy signs and symptoms.
Advise any individual with known or suspected latex allergy to notify their instructor, facilitator, or GWU employer.
Follow up with individuals that report symptoms of Latex allergic reactions.
Record serious latex reactions resulting in medical treatment
Consider suspected “latex allergic reaction” a significant event and investigate the cause of the exposure.

Actual incident: If you experience an allergic reaction to Latex while you are in the SAIL Center, please let your facilitator know. Call 911 in case of emergency.

Forms

Related Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (2019). Preventing allergic reactions to natural rubber latex in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/97-135/

U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.) Safety and health information bulletins / Potential for sensitization and possible allergic reaction to natural rubber latex gloves and other natural rubber products. U.S. Department of Labor / Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib012808.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, (2019); Title 21 Food and Drugs, Chapter 1, SubChapter H Medical Devices. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=801.437

Contacts

Contact	Telephone	Email
Director	571-553-0115	cfarinagwu [dot] edu (cfarina[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Sim Ops Assoc.	571-553-0069	cyndikellygwu [dot] edu (cyndikelly[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Sim Ops Assoc.	571-553-0058	rmelsongwu [dot] edu (rmelson[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Sim Ops Assoc.	571-553-0222	jouellettegwu [dot] edu (jouellette[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Sim IT Administrator	571-553-0086	paulcollinsgwu [dot] edu (paulcollins[at]gwu[dot]edu)

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