subject: Importance of Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs to Prevent Contamination of Surroundings [print this page] Numerous reports have revealed the harmful effects of exposures to perilous drugs to the healthcare workers. The work places are found to be disinfected by the harmful chemicals used for the preparation of drugs. The urine tests of these workers have indicated the presence of these harmful chemicals in their body. Thus safe handling of hazardous drugs is mandatory. The healthcare workers and the employers of different healthcare organizations should effectively participate in controlling the exposures to harmful drugs for their safety and betterment.
Several workers are engaged in drug manufacturing industries and could be the victim of emissions and aerosols produced during different steps of drug development process. There are direct risks of exposure to these harmful emissions through skin contact as well as through disinfected food stuffs and other eatables. Safe handling of hazardous drugs is thus very important.
There are numerous safe handling guidelines presented by different healthcare organizations and the workers must follow all these guidelines. Precautionary measures should be carried out for safe handling of hazardous drugs. The healthcare unit must include experienced and highly trained workers. Safety equipments like closed system drug transfer devices and biological cabinets should be used for minimizing the risks of exposures. These guidelines also includes various issues on exposure of drugs and practice of hygiene controls, engineering controls and safety equipments so that there are negligible chances of worker's exposure to these risky drugs.
With the mutual aid of healthcare workers and professionals of healthcare units, the present situation can be avoided. The guidelines should be properly implemented in all drug manufacturing industries. Thus implementing safety equipments and good work practices, perilous effects of occupational exposure to drugs can be minimized.
Importance of Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs to Prevent Contamination of Surroundings
