| Healthcare settings are very much concerned | | | | protective devices include a disposable mask or a |
| about the safety of their workers who are prone | | | | reusable filter masks and are suitable to filter out |
| to the exposures to hazardous drugs. In order to | | | | particulate air efficiently. Workers should be given |
| provide safe working environment and reduce the | | | | adequate training on the use, clean and disposal of |
| risks of drug exposure during various handling | | | | these respiratory devices. |
| processes, these healthcare facilities are | | | | Personal protective equipments (PPE): Workers |
| incorporating safety equipments and measures as | | | | should use various personal equipments for their |
| a part of their infrastructure. Studies have shown | | | | protection against the exposure while handling |
| that proper usage and good work practices can | | | | hazardous drugs. All these equipments should be |
| dramatically reduce the degree of drug exposures. | | | | should be routinely changed and should be |
| Effectiveness of these safety equipments solely | | | | disposed off outside the work areas. |
| depends on the way these are handled and taken | | | | Gloves: Non-powdered and thicker gloves provide |
| cared of. Following are some of the safety | | | | better protection and thus are preferred. The |
| devices and measures, and a brief discussion on | | | | material of the gloves should be given prior |
| their use and maintenance in healthcare settings. | | | | importance as not every material provides |
| Biological safety cabinets (BSCs): These are used | | | | adequate protection. Double gloving is used while |
| to carry out drug preparation and transfer | | | | cleaning up spills. |
| processes. These devices should be annually | | | | Protective gown: approved gowns should be |
| inspected and be cleaned, maintained, used on the | | | | made of low permeability fabric and should very |
| basis of recommendations from their | | | | well cover the body of the workers. |
| manufacturer. | | | | Eye protection incentives: splash goggles are used |
| Respirators: As workers may be exposed to drug | | | | for the purpose of protecting eyes against the |
| aerosols or dusts during preparation, cleaning spills, | | | | risk of drug splashing specially cleaning up spills. |
| or decontamination of safety devices, healthcare | | | | Disposable and absorbent materials should be used |
| organizations have approved respirators for | | | | to produce bags and containers to carry out |
| respiratory protection of workers. These | | | | preparation, transfer and disposal methods. |