Safe handling of hazardous drugs.
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. This may be related to a lack of information or to a lack of serious concern for the potential hazards. This article includes a discussion of current issues related to handling hazardous drugs in the workplace and a review of the history of safe handling guidelines, current recommendations, and barriers to implementing guidelines in health care settings.
Polovich
Martha
M
Southern Regional Health System in the South suburban Atlanta area, USA. marty.polovich@southernregional.org
D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D009729:Nursing / Q000295:instrumentation; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010604:Pharmacy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D014489:United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations