It’s crucial to handle hazardous drugs with the utmost care. Of greatest importance is preventing contamination that could compromise health and safety. Avoiding such risks is the purpose that the United States Pharmacopeia Convention established USP 800, a set of standards created to illustrate best practices for safe handling, dispensing, and disposal of hazardous drug products. Here’s what you should know about prevention measures.

Facility Requirements for Hazardous Drug Handling

At a bare minimum, facilities must maintain a list of all hazardous drugs on the premises and identify any specific on-site activities that may cause exposure if not handled properly. They include receipt of the drug from initial delivery, dispensing of the drug, compounding activities if applicable, accidental spills, administration of the drug to the patient, transporting the drug to another location, and disposing of the drug. 

Facilities should establish supervisors to oversee activities specific to hazardous drugs, from initial receipt to dispensation. Hazardous drugs must also be unpacked in a negative-pressure or neutral area compared to the surrounding environment. They may not be unpacked in positive-pressure areas, or there’s a risk that chemical gases and residues could spread through the facility. 

Handling Protocols for Health Care Staff

To avoid contamination, all personnel must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that creates a barrier to prevent contact. These include garments like gowns, gloves, goggles, face shields, and respirators. In compounding environments, the provider must wear at least two pairs of chemotherapy-specific gloves during drug preparation and administration.

Enforcing proper hand hygiene is also critical to preventing contamination during various hazardous drug-related activities, such as transportation or disposal. Personnel must be trained to properly clean, decontaminate, and disinfect areas where spills may occur. A process called wipe sampling can be a valuable tool in determining contaminant levels present on surfaces and is a key part of well-rounded safe handling protocols. 
 

Ensure your facility is compliant with USP 800 standards by turning to Midwest Medical Systems for your supply needs. Based in Dayton, OH, and serving clients throughout Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and Indiana, the family-owned and -operated company specializes in the highest quality laboratory equipment. Visit the website for more information, or call (800) 762-7722 to speak with a representative.