Sunday, December 4, 2011

Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs

Guidelines for handling hazardous drugs (HDs) have changed a little over the past twenty years but information regarding probable health risks for occupational exposure has changed greatly.  Numerous published studies provide evidence of hazardous drug residue contaminants are in areas where drugs are compounded or administered and potential health risks exist even when personal protective equipment is utilized. Over the next five weeks I will be posting about a teaching/learning plan that will be designed to explain the guidelines that have been established by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American Society of Hospital Pharmacist (ASHP) for Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Pharmacists (RPh) who wish to implement the use of a closed system transfer device (CSTD) in a clinical setting. The plan will be specific to the ChemoClave, defined by the ONS as a drug transfer device that mechanically prohibits the transfer of environmental contaminants into the system and the escape of hazardous drug or vapor concentrations outside the system (Jacobson et al., 2009). 
Thank you,
Nicole

Reference
Jacobson, J. O., Polovich, M., McNiff, K. K., LeFebvre, K. B., Cummings, C., Galioto, M.,...
McCorkle, M. R. (2009). American Society of Clinical Oncology/Oncology Nursing
Society chemotherapy administration safety standards. Oncology Nursing Forum, 36(6),
651-658. doi:10.1188/09.ONF.651-658
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8 comments:

  1. matlawDecember 5, 2011 at 4:29 AM

    I really like the topic and the way you introduced it in the blog. Make sure you read the rubric and incorporate some of the creative technologies on my tools list. Place the link in the Webliography so we can follow it. MAT

    ReplyDelete
  2. JayanthiHenryDecember 10, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    Hi
    it is well understood that hazardous drugs are risk for health care personnel.Health hazard includes chemicals that are carcinogens,toxic or highly toxic agents,irritants,corrosives,sensitizers,and agents that produce target organ effects.It is recommended that policies and procedures to be developed for safe handling.This program must be collaborative with input from all high risk areas such as,pharmacy,nursing,medical staff,housekeeping,transportation,maintenance,employee health and clinical laboratories.
    Reference
    Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs,Retrieved from www.apexiec.com/pre_Gdi_HazDrugs.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  3. abelrnDecember 11, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Hello,

    I look forward to learning more about the safe handling of hazardous drugs. I worked in oncology many years ago and remember all the precautions we had to take. I look forward to also learning more about the ChemoClave and how that works.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ncgnurseDecember 13, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ncgnurseDecember 13, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Hi All,
    Thank you for your inital responses. I have posted a survey at:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TVVBGC6

    I am still trying to figure out how to activate the link:(.

    However if you cut and paste it into browser it will work.
    Thanks for your patience.
    Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  6. Professor LehositDecember 16, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Hi Nicole,

    Terrific topic. It is so imporant for nurses to understand safe handling of chemo.

    What is your stance on pregnant women administering and / or mixing chemo? Just curious. I have mixed chemo in a previous job and administered it.

    Do you think it is safe?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. ncgnurseDecember 18, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) accumulated a sample list of major drugs that are considered hazardous in order to establish standard precautions for safe handling. Furthermore, NIOSH recommends healthcare professionals and support staff utilizes precautions such as a CSTD while preparing, transporting, administering and disposing of hazardous drugs (NIOSH, 2004). Please go to the following website to read the full NIOSH alert Pre-Read: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-167/pdfs/2010-167.pdf

    Thanks Nicole

    Reference
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2004). Preventing occupational exposure to antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in health care settings. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-167/pdfs/2010-167.pdf

    ReplyDelete
  8. JayanthiHenryDecember 19, 2011 at 2:01 AM

    Hi Nicole
    I understand that your organization uses robots to mix hazardous and other drugs.That is great.So the risk is reduced for the human beings.That is Great.

    ReplyDelete

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