Handling Hazardous Drugs| 47 Questions and Answers Graded A+

What is hazardous drug? - -Exhibits one or more of the characteristics in humans or animals: carcinogenic, teratogenic, reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity at low doses, genotoxic, structure and toxicity profiles of new drugs that mimic existing hazardous drugs. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the 2004 NIOSH alert: - "Preventing occupational exposure to antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings." -Provides a list of hazardous drugs American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) - Defines hazardous drugs in the guidelines on handling hazardous drugs. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Hazard communication standard results in employers developing their own list appropriate for their workplace. -Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Examples of Hazardous Drugs - Antineoplasitc (Methotrexate) Antiviral (Ganciclovir) Hormone (Progesterone) Misc. (Cyclosporin) List is reviewed for updating... - Highly potent drugs and bioengineered drugs What does the alert apply to? - -Pharmacy and nursing personnel -Physicians -Environmental service workers -Shipping and receiving personnel -Research personnel -Veterinary personnelHow does exposure occur? - -Exposure can occur by: inhalation, skin contact, skin absorption, ingestion, and injection. -Inhalation, skin contact, and skin absorption are the most likely to occu