Hazardous Drugs and USP <800>: Implications for Nurses.
BACKGROUND
Although guidelines for the safe handling of hazardous drugs (HDs) have existed for several decades, they have not been enforceable by state or federal agencies. USP <800>, the latest chapter issued by the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, expands on existing guidelines and provides detailed information on compounding and administration. Unlike current guidelines, USP <800> will be enforced by each state's board of pharmacy or their delegated agency. .


OBJECTIVE
This article provides a brief overview of the dangers associated with HDs and the implications of USP <800> for nurses.  .


METHODS
An overview of nursing-specific requirements from USP <800> are presented, as well as information about closed-system transfer devices, which are required under USP <800> guidelines. .


RESULTS
Although some organizations may already be fully compliant with USP <800>, others will need to make significant changes.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
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Eisenberg
D000328:Adult; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017751:Safety Management / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
USP <800>; closed-system transfer device; guidelines ; hazardous drugs