Hospital Refuses to Treat Patient with Latex Allergy

Filed in archive Latex/Rubber Allergies by ruth on November 28, 2006

I encountered this article saying that a family is considering filing legal action against a hospital for refusing to admit a patient due to her latex allergies. Because latex is indispensable in hospitals, it can lead to complications, and is potentially life-threatening for those with severe sensitivity to latex.

On one hand, I can emphatize with the family, feeling that there should always be enough facilities in a hospital to handle latex-allergic patients. However, I can also understand the stance of the hospital, refusing to treat the patient in the absence of such. Afterall, the patient would be better off in another hospital, in this particular case, one just six miles away, to have a safer treatment environment.

What do you think?

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Understanding Latex Allergies - 25 January 2007
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Vote for Hospital Refuses to Treat Patient with Latex Allergy:

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Rating: 10.00 out of 1 vote(s) cast.

Response from: chupieandjsmama (11/28/06 12:14pm)

That's a tough one. I feel for the patient. If there is another hospital near by that could guarantee safety, then I would go with that one and not pursue the law suite. Latex is everywhere in a hospital and a lot of times it is used to keep the other patients safe. You can't ask an entire hospital to go latex free for one person, not if there is another facility that is an option. If no other hospital were available, then I'd agree with the patient. I'd be leary of a hospital that couldn't guarantee my safety on this issue anyway. Just my opinion.