Seth Eisenberg – Exposure to cytotoxic chemotherapy can result in acute and chronic conditions including nausea, headaches, rashes, miscarriages, infertility and genetic aberrations…

Pesqué Raphaëlle, Peyrilles Elodie, Jourdan Nathalie, Albert Odile, Sessink Paul, Madelaine Isabelle, Levert Hélène.

Occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs can lead to significant health problems. This study was designed to evaluate the risk of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) contamination for nurses when disconnecting the infusion line of an elastomeric pump from a non-coring needle, by comparing three configurations.

Pauline Claraz, Isabelle Rif, Charlotte Vert, Elina Wolff, Sophie Perriat, Anaïs Grand, Yann Cretu, Isabelle Hennebelle, Jean-Marie Canonge, Florent Puisset.

Purpose: Infusion of cytotoxic drugs carries the risk of occupational exposure of healthcare workers. Since disconnecting an infusion line is a source of contamination, flushing of tubing after infusion of cytotoxic agents is recommended, but the optimal volume of rinsing solution is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess whether postinfusion line flushing completely eliminates cytotoxics.

Seth EISENBERG   Abstract: USP General Chapter requires closed system drug-transfer devices (CSTDs) for hazardous drug (HD) administration where the dosage form allows, but only recommends CSTD use for compounding. Yet, recent data shows a higher percentage of usage...

Mirjam Crul, Simone Hilhorst, Oscar Breukels, Johanna R. C. Boumand’Onofrio, Percival Stubbs & Joost G. van Rooij

Many studies into surface contamination of hospital environments have demonstrated that occupational exposure to cytotoxics through the dermal route remains a possible risk. In this study, we assess the actual dermal exposure of the hands of pharmacy technicians and cleaning personnel in a panel of hospitals performing tasks that pose a risk of exposure.

Christopher R. Friese, PhD, RN, AOCN®, FAAN, Mandy Wong, MS, Alex Fauer, RN, BSN, Kari Mendelsohn-Victor, MPH, Martha Polovich, PhD, RN, AOCN®,
and Marjorie C. McCullagh, PhD, RN, FAAOHN, FAAN.

Background: Hazardous drug exposure is an occupational health hazard to oncology nurses. Sparse data are available regarding the frequency and characteristics of hazardous drug spills.

Antoine Villa, Mathieu Molimard, Emmanuelle Bignon, Béatrice Martinez, Magali Rouyer, Simone Mathoulin-elissier, Isabelle Baldi, Catherine Verdun-Esquer, Mireille Canal-Raffin Abstract Introduction: Antineoplastic drugs (AD) are potentially carcinogenic and/or...

Alison Simons, Samantha Toland

Healthcare workers who handle or administer systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) agents are at risk of exposure to hazardous drugs known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Research suggests that there is a lack of awareness among healthcare workers about health and safety risks when handling or administering SACT agents.

Christopher R. Friese, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, James Yang, PhD, Kari Mendelsohn-Victor, MPH, and Marjorie C. McCullagh, PhD, RN, APHN-BC, COHN-S, FAAOHN, FAAN.

Objectives: To evaluate whether a web-based educational intervention improved personal protective equipment (PPE) use among oncology nurses who handle hazardous drugs.

Christina C. Lawson, PhD, Candice Y. Johnson, PhD, Feiby L. Nassan, ScD, MBBCH, Thomas H. Connor, PhD, James M. Boiano, MS, Carissa M. Rocheleau, PhD, Jorge E. Chavarro, MD, ScD, and Janet W. Rich-Edwards, ScD.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the urine concentration of non-metabolized cyclophosphamide (CP), a commonly administered antineoplastic drug, among potentially exposed Canadian healthcare workers and to identify factors associated with the drug concentration levels.