Documentation forms for monitoring occupational surveillance of healthcare workers who handle cytotoxic drugs.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a procedure for medical surveillance of healthcare workers who handle cytotoxic drugs.


METHODS
Literature review and guidelines published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. INFORMATION SELECTION: Studies of possible exposure screening tests, congenital defects in offspring, and case studies.


RESULTS
Some degree of risk exists in handling cytotoxic drugs, but no reliable screening test for cytotoxic drug exposure has been developed. Reproductive hazards are possible when protective equipment is not used. Areas to be addressed when devising surveillance procedures include who to cover, what baseline data to gather, what periodic monitoring will be necessary (and at what interval it will be conducted), how to handle exposure incidents, and what documentation system will be used.


CONCLUSIONS
A procedure using a baseline risk factor form and a yearly monitoring questionnaire was devised and implemented. Forms contain documentation of worker teaching.


CONCLUSIONS
Most often, nurses are the healthcare workers who handle cytotoxic drugs. A consistent approach to monitoring healthcare workers is facilitated by using a defined procedure and standardized forms.
Parillo
V L
VL
Kaiser Permanente, Panorama City, CA.
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002140:California; D004282:Documentation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016730:Program Development; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012041:Regional Medical Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents