title: Avoiding accidental exposure to intravenous cytotoxic drugs.
abstract: Many cytotoxic drugs have been shown to be mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic with second malignancies known to be associated with several specific cancer drugs. Occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs presents a signification danger to healthcare staff and unwarranted handling of these drugs should be avoided. Guidelines have been established for the safe handling of hazardous drugs but not all professionals are adhering to these recommendations. Recent environmental studies have demonstrated measurable drug contamination on surfaces even when recommended guidelines are followed. It is therefore imperative that healthcare workers are aware of the potential hazards of antineoplastic agents and employ the recommended precautions to minimise exposure. This article outlines the potential risks associated with exposure to cytotoxic drugs for healthcare staff. The safe-handling precautions required in the storage, preparation, transport, administration and waste disposal of cytotoxic drugs are presented.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Oncology), Health Service Executive, Dublin, Mid Leinster Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meade
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D003666:Decontamination; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004356:Drug Storage; D006801:Humans; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011481:Protective Clothing
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal
keywords: Antineoplastic agents; Cytotoxins; Pharmaceutical preparations; Risk; Safety