🚀 go-pugleaf

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ELASTIC is pleased to be able to share with you the following example
of how EMS providers in one community are effectively dealing with the
growing health problem of natural rubber latex allergy.

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CEDARBURG DEPARTMENT LATEX ALLERGY INFORMATION SHEET

In 1978, under the direction of Captains Stauske and Kreuger, the Child
Alert Program was created.  This program's main focus was and is to
attend to the needs of special children who were on monitoring
equipment.  This program involved the discharging hospital, the
physician, parents, EMS personnel, and the dispatcher.  Since 1978 the
program has grown and we currently have 17 patients on the program with
an age variance of 2 years to 37.  In 1990 an individual joined our
program.  To our surprise this patient had a severe latex allergy. 
Since this time, Cedarburg Rescue has re-evaluated our EMS supplies and
have adopted a latex-free rescue squad, in an effort to prevent
accidental latex exposure.  With the cooperation of St. Mary's Hospital
Ozaukee, Medical Control, and our distributors, we have been able to
provide emergency care to all our patients without the risk of latex
exposure.  Cedarburg Rescue has had an active part in the awareness
education process for several latex groups and other neighboring
rescue squads who have encountered latex patients, in an effort to
prevent further complications.  It is our goal to educate the public as
well as EMS personnel to the dangers and treatment, as well as the
prevention of latex encounters.  During the past 13 years our
department has experienced an increase in the number of rescue calls
and the number of Child Alert emergencies, including latex emergencies.
Our goal is to provide fast, professional and latex-free care to all of
our patients.

Respectfully submitted-

CARYL A. REIBE   R.N.

CAPTAIN CEDARBURG RESCUE SQUAD.

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For further information on any aspect of latex hypersensitivity,
please contact the ELASTIC members below.

Elizabeth C. Borel, D.M.D.
Executive Director
Email: 102246.126@compuserve.com

Nancy A. Mitchell
Internet Coordinator
Email: nam1@ix.netcom.com

*Education for Latex Allergy / Support-Team and Information-Coalition*