Evaluation of Hazardous Drugs Exposures: From Hospitals to Veterinary Schools

摘要

The NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) program has received numerous requests to evaluate the use of hazardous drugs in a wide variety of occupational environments. We highlight three evaluations that include a hospital oncology unit, a regional oncology clinic, and a state university veterinary school. Despite an array of preventive steps and controls, positive surface wipe samples followed the path of hazardous drugs throughout the workplace from receiving through disposal. We evaluated select hazardous drugs (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, doxorubicin, and platinum containing drugs) that were common in the respective workplaces. Hazardous drug migration into non-use areas was common. We will discuss common sampling methodologies, identifying high-risk areas, and potential complications when interpreting sample results, and highlight best practices that can be utilized in all work environments.