USP <800> Adds Significant Safety Standards: Facility Upgrades Needed to Protect Employees From Hazardous Drugs

摘要

USP <800>, the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention's new standard for handling hazardous drugs (HDs) in health care settings,1 is requiring millions of dollars in capital outlays for facility and equipment upgrades in hospital-based pharmacies and elsewhere nationwide. The standard, which becomes effective on July 1,2018, also requires in-depth assessments of each HD that facilities handle, significant workflow and work practice changes, and thorough staff training. The newest USP standard builds upon 2008's USP <797>, which focused primarily on minimizing the risk of contaminating medicines when compounding sterile preparations. In contrast, USP <800> is aimed primarily at protecting all health care workers, as well as patients and the general public, who have access to any facilities where HDs are prepared. These workers include pharmacists, technicians, nurses, physicians, physician assistants, home health care workers, veterinarians, and veterinary technicians.