| Studies have shown that drug transfer from | | | | With the growing concern of worker's exposure |
| manufacturer's container to patient specific | | | | to ill-effects of hazardous drugs, many |
| container leads to maximum possibility of | | | | pharmaceutical plants have designed their own |
| contamination and exposure to hazardous drugs. | | | | closed systems. However, all these systems are |
| Vial-to-syringe is one such drug transfer technique | | | | first approved by higher safety authorities before |
| and has been employed for years in healthcare | | | | their implementation in healthcare settings. If they |
| centers. But, this traditional system has found to | | | | are designed as per the definitions of closed |
| produce an important risk to workplace exposure. | | | | systems, they get the green signal to enter into |
| As many a times there is a mis-match between | | | | the market. Many have shown success in |
| the pressures of vial and syringe, which in turn | | | | delivering effective results and reduction in |
| results in spraying and leakage of the drug outside | | | | percentage of exposure. These systems include a |
| the vial. Due to their toxic nature, these drugs get | | | | complete series of closed, vial and bag access |
| contaminated with the environment and may | | | | devices and help in safe preparation, transfer and |
| cause several health disorders on exposed lives. | | | | monitoring of toxic substances. |
| To cope up with this unwanted exposures and | | | | No doubt closed system drug transfer devices |
| health hazards, several healthcare organizations | | | | provide effective solutions to minimize risks of |
| have designed Closed System Drug Transfer | | | | exposure to hazardous drugs, but their |
| Devices. These protection systems are developed | | | | effectiveness very much depends on their way |
| to reduce the risk of occupational exposure. | | | | of usage. Personal protective equipments and |
| These have been implemented by many | | | | good work practices are always needed to be |
| healthcare settings to provide safer drug transfer | | | | followed while operating with these closed system |
| systems to the administering staffs and | | | | devices. Workers must be properly trained and |
| employees. Their design features are according to | | | | well instructed on device usage, and observed |
| closed systems definition given by OSHA and | | | | regularly when dealing with the systems. |
| NIOSH. | | | | |