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A Protocol for the Safe Use of Hazardous Drugs in the OR
Author(s) -
Hemingway Maureen W.,
Meleis Laura,
Oliver Jevon,
Silvestri Sandra
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1002/aorn.12960
Subject(s) - protocol (science) , perioperative , hazardous waste , health care , multidisciplinary approach , medicine , medical emergency , patient safety , risk analysis (engineering) , surgery , engineering , alternative medicine , social science , pathology , sociology , economics , economic growth , waste management
Hazardous drug ( HD ) use in the perioperative environment poses unique challenges and risks for exposure that can have adverse consequences for perioperative personnel. The United States Pharmacopeial Convention has implemented new standards to address the safe handling and administration of HD s by health care workers. To comply with these standards and minimize perioperative personnel's occupational exposure to HD s, a multidisciplinary team at an academic medical center in Boston that was performing an increased number and variety of operative and other invasive procedures using antineoplastic agents updated their protocol for the safe use of HD s in the OR . This article discusses HD s and the risks they pose to health care workers and outlines the new HD safety protocol for the OR that was part of a performance improvement plan to ensure compliance with new standards and staff member safety in the perioperative setting.