- Wash your hands before and after handling hazardous medicines.
- Use disposable gloves if you are touching any type of hazardous medicine. Do not use torn or punctured gloves.
- Use disposable plastic medicine cups to move a pill from a medicine bottle.
- Throw away any used gloves, gowns, medicine cups, oral syringes, or bottles in a two-ply, heavy-duty trash bag. ...
- If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you should not handle hazardous medicines. ...
Full Answer
How are hazardous drugs prepared for use?
Hazardous drugs need to be prepared by pharmacists, nurses or physicians using proper personal protective equipment and engineering controls. The risk of exposure to hazardous drugs through inhalation or direct skin contact is present during preparation and handling activities, including:
What are the risks of handling hazardous drugs?
The risk of exposure to hazardous drugs through inhalation or direct skin contact is present during preparation and handling activities, including: Transferring hazardous drugs from one container to another, and reconstituting or manipulating them. Withdrawal of needles from drug vials. Expulsion of air from a drug-filled syringe.
Who has provided guidelines for the safe handling of hazardous drugs?
So far, only ASHP and NIOSH have provided guidelines for he safe handling of hazardous drugs. T or F False, OSHA too. Which statement about transporting of hazardous drugs is TRUE? a. Transporting hazardous-drug packages must be in sealed containers b.
How should hazardous drugs be stored in the workplace?
a. Hazardous drugs may be stored with other drugs b. Segregation of hazardous-drug inventory decreases control c. Once hazardous drugs are stored, staff members only need to wear gloves when manipulating them d. Hazardous-drug packages, bins, shelves and all storage areas must bear distinctive labels. d.
How do you handle a hazardous drug?
When possible, avoid cutting, crushing, or otherwise manipulating pills or capsules. This might produce powder that can contaminate a workplace and may expose workers. When manipulating hazardous drugs, use effective engineering controls and personal protective equipment.
Which action is recommended to reduce the risk of exposure when administering hazardous medication?
Donning two pairs of gloves tested against chemotherapy agents during all handling activities. Wearing a disposable gown made from a low permeable fabric with back closure. Using eye and face protection when splashing may be a risk.
What is the minimum PPE required to handle hazardous medications?
OSHA's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standard [29 CFR 1910.132] requires employers to provide appropriate PPE (e.g., gloves, goggles, splash aprons) for workers who may handle or be otherwise exposed to hazardous drugs.
What precautions are taken by the nurse when administering antineoplastic medications?
Avoid skin contact with liquid antineoplastic drugs by always wearing two pairs of chemotherapy gloves and a nonabsorbent gown with a closed front and tight fitting cuffs during administration activities.
What special precautions are required when handling cytotoxic medications?
Workers (pharmacists or pharmacy technicians) should wear a cap, surgical or procedure mask, shoe covers, a protective gown and 2 pairs of gloves to make sterile preparations of cytotoxic drugs in preparation cabinets (see Table i) (SR).
How should hazardous drugs be transported?
Hazardous drugs must be transported in leak-proof, closed containers to prevent leakage and minimize breakage.
When gowns are required to handle hazardous drugs they must be?
Gowns must not have seams or closures that could allow HDs to pass through. The HD-resistant gown cannot be worn longer than the time indicated by the gown manufacturer. In the absence of permeation information, operators should change the gown every 2-3 hours or immediately after a spill or splash.
What type of gown should be used when handling hazardous drugs?
Gowns that are used for handling HDs must be disposable and made of a lint-free, low-permeability fabric. They should have a solid front (back closure) and knit or elastic cuffs. Laboratory coats and other cloth fabrics absorb fluids, so they provide an inadequate barrier to HDs and should not be used.
How does the hazardous medication PPE guide define risk?
A risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause someone harm A hazard is something that can cause harm Page 11 9 JANUARY 2022 (v1.10) Who Does This Apply To?
What are the precautions to be taken by the nurses when preparing and administering the chemotherapy drugs on the patient?
Safety precautions can vary depending on the drugs you receive, so ask your treatment team about your individual situation.Use a plastic bucket. ... Clean up spills. ... Take care going to the toilet. ... Wear disposable gloves. ... Keep tablets whole. ... Handle laundry carefully. ... Use protection. ... Put medicines in a safe place.More items...
Why must chemotherapy drugs be handled and used with caution?
Direct contact with chemotherapy drugs (HDs), either by handling, reconstituting, or administering, represents an exposure risk.
Which OSHA standard with proper handling and cleaning of chemotherapy spills fall under?
10.2 Universal/Standard precautions will be followed for handling of all excreta, linen, etc. from patients receiving chemotherapy. 10.3 For small spills (less than 500cc), follow instructions outlined in Section 5.0. Large spills (>500cc) will be handled by Environmental Health and Safety.
When manipulating hazardous drugs, what should you do?
When manipulating hazardous drugs, use effective engineering controls and personal protective equipment. Use effective engineering controls and personal protective equipment when you compound a hazardous drug.
How can hazardous drugs harm healthcare workers?
To protect healthcare workers, it is recommended that workplaces assess the hazards specific to their workplace and develop hazard control strategies to mitigate those hazards.
What are the factors that affect the risk of hazardous drugs?
The chance that hazardous drugs will harm workers in healthcare workplaces, and the severity of the harm, depends on several factors, including: A drug’s toxicity: This refers to the type of harm a drug can cause to a person’s health. For example, cytotoxic drugs are used to kill cancer cells, ...
How do workers get exposed to drugs?
Workers can be exposed to hazardous drugs through breathing vapors, dusts, or aerosols, absorbing it through skin contact (for example, touching dust or liquid residue on surfaces), swallowing it, or accidental injection. A drug’s physical and chemical properties: The physical and chemical properties of drugs that influence their hazard include ...
What are the physical and chemical properties of drugs?
A drug’s physical and chemical properties: The physical and chemical properties of drugs that influence their hazard include vapor pressure, physical state (solid, liquid, or gas) and molecular weight of the drug. Many drugs have very low vapor pressures, so inhaled vapor is not a route of exposure of concern for most drugs.
Why is the formulation of a drug important?
Like a drug’s physical and chemical properties, the formulation of the drug is an important indicator of the types of precautions needed to avoid exposure. Different risk management strategies are needed for powders than pre-filled syringes.
Can you protect workers from hazardous drugs?
No single approach can protect all workers in healthcare workplaces against all hazardous drugs. These steps, however, can lessen the chance that hazardous drugs will do harm: Clearly label all hazardous drugs so workers will know to carefully handle them. Do not use automated counting machines for hazardous drugs.
Training
Affected staff must complete training by February 1, 2021, as revised policies go into effect February 2, 2021. To access training, log in to the Learning Exchange and search for “FY21 Hazardous Medications Update.” This training is required annually.
Questions?
For additional questions or concerns, send a message to [email protected].
Where can you reconstitution and handle powdered hazardous drugs?
Reconstitution and handling of powdered hazardous drugs will occur only in the pharmacy or in other areas approved by OESO. These areas must follow the safety procedures outlined in Appendices B and C of this Supplement and the spill clean-up procedures in Appendix E.
Why is it important to minimize occupational exposure to drugs?
It is important to minimize occupational exposure to these drugs because of the risk of adverse health effects.
What is a hazardous drug spill kit?
Hazardous drugs are those marked “Chemotherapy” or “Hazardous drug” by the pharmacy and are listed on the DUHS Hazardous Drugs List.
What are the characteristics of a drug?
Hazardous Drug: Defined by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists in 1990 as being a drug which displays one or more of the following characteristics: genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity or fertility impairment , or serious organ or other toxic manifestation at low doses in experimental animals or treated patients. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) revised the definition in 2004 to include drugs that exhibit one or more of the following six characteristics in humans or animals: carcinogenicity, teratogenicity or other developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity at low doses, genotoxicity, or structure and toxicity profiles of new drugs that mimic existing drugs determined hazardous by the other criteria. Appendix A of this policy lists drugs that are considered hazardous by NIOSH as well as any additional drugs that have been determined to be hazardous by Duke. Additionally, all investigational drugs will be handled as hazardous drugs unless there is adequate information available about potential toxicity and exposure risks to patients and employees to exclude them.
What is the number to call for respiratory therapy?
If Engineering and Operations (or other appropriate Engineering group) is involved in achieving negative pressure in the room, the Respiratory Therapist must call 919-684-3232 (or appropriate Engineering group) after the administration to have the ventilation returned to normal.
How long have the recommendations for the safe handling of hazardous drugs been available?
Recommendations for the safe handling of hazardous drugs have been available for more than twenty years. Evidence for continued risk of occupational exposure is abundant; however, nurses' use of the recommended precautions is not universal.
What are the risks of exposure to hazardous drugs?
Risks of Exposure. The potential adverse health risks from occupational exposure to hazardous drugs are based on the inherent toxicities of the drugs. The same health effects that occur in patients who receive therapeutic doses of the drugs are possible if employees are exposed.
What happened to OSHA in 1992?
This seemed to be a reflection of the decreased concern. In 1992, Sessink and others published new data related to hazardous drug exposure.
How many health care workers are exposed to hazardous drugs?
It is estimated that as many as 5.5 million health care workers have the opportunity for exposure to hazardous drugs in the workplace. It is estimated that as many as 5.5 million health care workers have the opportunity for exposure to hazardous drugs in the workplace ( U. S. Department of Commerce, 1999 ).
What is the best equipment for drug handling?
Personal Protective Equipment for Hazardous Drug Handling. Gowns – disposable, made of fabric that has low-permeability to the agents in use, with closed-front and cuffs, intended for single use. Gloves – powder-free, labeled and tested for use with chemotherapy drugs, made of latex, nitrile, or neoprene.
Why are drugs considered hazardous?
While most drugs are hazardous because they are cytotoxic, drugs from other categories are potentially harmful (such as the antiviral agent gancyclovir). Currently, the term "hazardous" is preferred over "chemotherapy" or "antineoplastic" because is it is more inclusive of drugs that present a risk ( ASHP, 1990 ).
When did nurses prepare drugs?
In the 1970s and 1980s it was common practice for nurses to perform drug preparation activities in medication rooms on nursing units ( Stolar, 1988 ). The main route of exposure to hazardous drugs ( Table 2) was thought to be inhalation of drug aerosols generated during preparation.
How can workers be protected from exposures to hazardous drugs?
Workers can be protected from exposures to hazardous drugs through engineering and administrative controls, and proper protective equipment.
When was the 2016 list of hazardous drugs published?
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2016-161 (September 2016) The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published this list of hazardous drugs in 2016. This list includes drugs reviewed by NIOSH from January 2012 to December 2013.
Can exposure to hazardous drugs cause skin rashes?
Exposure to hazardous drugs can result in adverse health effects in healthcare workers. In fact, published studies have shown that workplace exposures to hazardous drugs can cause both acute and chronic health effects such as skin rashes, adverse reproductive outcomes (including infertility, spontaneous abortions, and congenital malformations), ...
What is the purpose of special training for hazardous drugs?
To provide continuing education through documentation regarding the handling of hazardous drugs. a. To update the reader on new and continuing concerns for healthcare workers who handle hazardous drugs. Special training is mandatory for all emoployees who handle hazardous drugs. T or F.
What should be the label for hazardous waste containers?
Hazardous-waste containers should be puncture proof, have a sealable lid, and have a warning label. d. Hazardous-waste containers should be puncture proof, have a sealable lid, and have a warning label. When removing PPE, it is recommended to use the outer gloves once they are washed and disinfected.
What should a woker wear to clean the transfer chamber?
Wokers should wear a disposable gown to clean the transfer chamber. c. Workers should wear two pairs of disposable gloves and a gown when cleaning the transfer chamber. c. Workers should wear two pairs of disposable gloves and a gown when cleaning the transfer chamber.
What is special training for pharmacists?
Special training is mandatory for all emoployees who handle hazardous drugs. T or F. The pharmacist should take the lead in developing policies and practices for the safe handling of hazardous drugs. T or F.
Overview
Factors Affecting The Risks Posed by Hazardous Drugs
- The chance that hazardous drugs will harm workers in healthcare workplaces, and the severity of the harm, depends on several factors, including: 1. A drug’s toxicity:This refers to the type of harm a drug can cause to a person’s health. For example, cytotoxic drugs are used to kill cancer cells, but they can also cause cancer or other harm to healthcare workers who work with or handle the…
Steps You Can Take to Protect Workers
- No single approach can protect all workers in healthcare workplaces against all hazardous drugs. These steps, however, can lessen the chance that hazardous drugs will do harm: 1. Clearly label all hazardous drugs so workers will know to carefully handle them. 2. Do not use automated counting machines for hazardous drugs. The machines can produce po...
Managing Healthcare Workplace Risks from Hazardous Drugs
- The table below provides general guidance for some of the possible scenarios where hazardous drugs are handled in healthcare settings, but it cannot cover all possible situations. The actual risk to workers handling hazardous drugs is governed by many factors. In addition to proper use of engineering controls and personal protective equipment, the risk to workers in different healthca…