haven't found suitable latex-free substitutes. For example, there are
a few specialized urinary catheters and rubber catheters that are
used for suctioning fresh tracheostomy patients. Surgeons are con-
cerned that stiffer catheters may traumatize the new tracheostomy
opening. When situations like those arise, we don't want to inhibit
the ability of people to do their jobs properly, so we try to compro-
mise and do things that are safe for the patient but won't impede the
provider. And we make sure people are aware when we're using a
latex product. Meanwhile, we continue to search for substitutes.
The risks associated with latex may be relatively small compared
with some other issues, but eliminating latex gloves was something
we could do fairly easily to increase the safety of our patients and
staff. It's always better to be proactive than reactive. If you aren't, and
the unexpected happens, you may suddenly find yourself dealing with
an anaphylactic reaction. And everyone says, oh my gosh, how did
this happen? And then you're scrambling.
It's better to get ahead of the problem, and there's no better time to
do it than now.
OSM
9 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 6
Dr. Brown (rbrown@jhmi.edu) is a professor of anesthesiology and critical care
medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
