Dear Christine
We also see all clinical attachments and we charge them for everything, ie
CXR's heaf tests, blood tests and immunisations they might need.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christine Bouckley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: Latex and Clearance of Agency staff.
> We sound to have the same system here, we dont do anything more with
> locums..but do see all clinical attatchments- nightmare!!!Do people charge
> clinical attatchments for their vaccines and bloods etc?
> Christine
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karen Swann [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 19 August 2003 15:36
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Latex and Clearance of Agency staff.
>
>
> Our personnel dept send copies of Locum HEP B blood test results to us and
> we advise them whether or not they are able to perform EPP - we don't
> routinely do any other health clearance for locums
>
> Karen
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gallagher Deirdre (RGZ) [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 19 August 2003 15:27 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Latex and Clearance of Agency staff.
>
> I think the main issues with Latex gloves have been the Powder, but I
> believe the NHS supplies catalogue now only offers powder-free latex
gloves,
> along with Vinyl and nitrile as alternatives.
> How do other NHS Trusts manage to ensure correct screening of agency
staff,
> especially Locum Dr's who work through agencies.I know some agencies do
> employ the services of an OHD to clear their workers, but others assume we
> should do it!!Or worse still, agency clerical staff have had training
> sometime in the past as to how to decide on what constitutes Hep B
> immunity,and they vet the HQ's also and if problems they send on to
another
> Dr!!!
> They are not medically qualified to assess immunisations and certainly not
> HQ info...so why do they receive them???
> Anybody have any experiences of this?
> Deirdre Gallagher
> Occupational Health Service Manager
> Tel: 0208 302 2678 ext:4543
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Christine Bouckley [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 02:56
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Latex
>
>
> Thanks Chris,
> I have been aware of these issues, and do also have concerns over
> alternatives not always being the best option! We currently operate with
low
> protein and powder free gloves and seem to have few problems given the
> number of staff using latex gloves and other heathcare appliances..we
offer
> alternatives to those who report problems, but more often than not it
boils
> down to the need for good skin care rather than to the gloves. I dont
think
> we will be rushing into a total latex glove ban. I cannot justify the
> 'change over' well enough ayway at the moment!
> christine
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Packham [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 19 August 2003 14:48
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Latex
>
>
> I would caution against attempting to go latex free altogether and
> particularly against replacing natural rubber latex with vinyl. The thin,
> single use vinyl gloves do not provide the same level of biological
> protection as does natural rubber latex. They puncture easily. Thus by
> changing to vinyl you could be putting the users at increased risk of
> infection. This raises some interesting legal aspects! You must also
> consider disposal of vinyl gloves. They should NOT be incinerated, as this
> releases vinyl monomer and dioxins, extremely hazardous chemicals.
>
> In fact, many studies have shown that low free protein, unpowdered natural
> rubber latex gloves offer optimum biological protection and do not present
a
> significant risk of latex sensitisation. You might also be interested to
> know that in Germany (where a very comprehensive review was carried out by
> Dr. Angelika Heese - Allergien gege Latexhandschuhe, ISBN 3-609-62850-2)
> there is now a regulatory requirement for all natural rubber latex gloves
to
> be unpowdered (Technische Regeln fur Gefahrstoffe, TRGS540).
>
> In fact, several recent studies indicate that the most common cause of
skin
> problems from latex gloves was irritant contact dermatitis, followed by a
> type IV reaction to the chemicals in the latex glove. The type I, latex
> allergy, came in third place.
>
> Of course, if you do have someone who is extremely latex sensitive, then
you
> will have to go to something such as nitrile or polychloroprene
(Neoprene).
> Bear in mind, however, that (a) these are more expensive and (b) they may
> also contain the sentising chemicals for the type IV reaction.
>
> If anyone wants more on this please feel free to contact me. I have a mass
> of information, papers etc. and will willingly discuss latex/latex
policies.
>
> Chris Packham
>
> EnviroDerm Services
> Solutions in skin management
> For information on skin management, technical bulletins and information
> about our support services visit our website (www.enviroderm.co.uk)
> For immediate help e-mail us at [log in to unmask] or phone on +44 1386
> 832 311
>
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