| Nurses in hospitals were used to perform drug | | | | Hazardous Drugs are also exposed during the |
| preparation activities in medication rooms on | | | | storage and transport processes. Damaged drug |
| nursing units. The main route of exposure to | | | | packages, when received by the hospitals produce |
| Hazardous Drugs was thought to be inhalation of | | | | the risk of contaminating the environment. |
| drug aerosols generated during preparation. To | | | | Employees must be trained to process damaged |
| reduce this risk, healthcare centers published | | | | packages as well. |
| guidelines stating that cytotoxic drug preparation | | | | The lack of standardization results in a high |
| must be performed in a biological safety cabinet | | | | prevalence of potential occupational exposure to |
| (BSC) in a designated area, usually a pharmacy. | | | | hazardous agents. In a survey, it was found that |
| But the recent studies showed that Hazardous | | | | 40% of hospital pharmacists reported a skin |
| Drugs may be exposed through other means | | | | exposure to these drugs at least once a month, |
| such as dermal absorption, ingestion and injection. | | | | and only 28% had medical surveillance programs |
| The medical staffs, who administer | | | | in their workplaces. Such findings emphasize |
| chemotherapy, are under the risk of exposure to | | | | current lack of protection for all personnel who |
| cytotoxic agents which causes various | | | | risk potential exposure to these drugs. |
| reproductive disorders. Body fluids of patients | | | | The above details indicated that health care |
| receiving these drugs are the potential source of | | | | workers are prone to the harmful effects of |
| hazard exposure. | | | | hazardous substances. But, the health and safety |
| Personal protective equipments such as gloves, | | | | of workers who handle these drugs should be |
| gowns, masks etc., used in the preparation and | | | | given high priority. There are challenges in |
| administration of drugs present a hazard to | | | | implementing a comprehensive program for the |
| support and housekeeping staff. The used | | | | protection of workers. But, the barriers related to |
| syringes and vials produce harmful effects on the | | | | administrative issues, such as cost or staffing and |
| staffs. Spills can also represent a hazard; | | | | lack of concern of potential health effects |
| employees are therefore required to be familiar | | | | associated with occupational exposure are needed |
| with appropriate spill procedures. | | | | to be overcome. |