Protecting Clinicians from Hazardous Drug Exposures

Approved for 2 CRNI® recertification units and 1 contact hour.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides an ongoing, continually revised list of drugs and biologic agents that meet the definition of hazardous drugs (HDs). Clinicians who prepare and administer hazardous drugs are potentially at risk by direct and indirect contact. Safe handling requirements, by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), NIOSH, USP 800, and INS 2021 Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice (SOPs), provide guidance to protect clinicians from hazardous drug exposure. Specifically, NIOSH recommends health care workers use a close system transfer device (CSTD) throughout the hazardous drug-handling chain, from drug compounding to administration. In this presentation, we will define hazardous drugs and clinician risk, discuss various safety requirements, evaluate various CSTDs, and learn to apply the INS 2021 SOPs into practice.