| Hazardous drugs exhibit dual characteristics as | | | | them. Workers are therefore exposed to the |
| these can both save life and take life. The | | | | aerosols, vapors and toxicants contained in the |
| application of hazardous chemicals in the major | | | | medicines. This has made healthcare organizations |
| drug preparation has resulted out in such complex | | | | to implement safety guidelines in workplaces of |
| theories of their action. Though regarded as the | | | | these drugs. |
| core of several treatment techniques such as | | | | As workers engaged in drug preparation, |
| chemotherapy used against cancer, these drugs | | | | administration and disposal of hazardous |
| have caused health disorders in the workers | | | | substances may come in direct or indirect contact |
| handling them during patient's administration | | | | with their inherent toxicities, they are instructed |
| process. | | | | to use personal protective equipments such as |
| As hazardous drugs are frequently used in | | | | gloves, masks, lab. courts, etc. All minor and |
| different treatment procedures in every | | | | major healthcare settings are required to employ |
| healthcare setting, studies have shown an | | | | newly designed closed systems for drug transfer |
| increased rate of health disorders in the exposed | | | | purpose and other safety devices such as |
| workers. These drugs are the prominent sources | | | | biological safety cabinets. |
| of short as well as long term health defects such | | | | The safety guidelines include mandatory training |
| as reproductive disorders, cell degeneration, | | | | sessions for healthcare workers, so that they are |
| genetic defects, and even cancer. A minor | | | | able to handle treatment process efficiently and |
| exposure to them can result in loss of eyesight, | | | | also their knowledge regarding handling of |
| skin rashes, itching problems, allergic reactions, etc. | | | | emergency conditions will help them to get out of |
| Most of the preventive measures against these | | | | adverse situations. Medical surveillance programs |
| drugs are patient specific and do not consider | | | | are to be facilitated to control the extent of |
| safety of the nurses and medical staffs handling | | | | exposure of workers to hazardous drugs. |