V Potential-capable of being but not yet in existence;

having possibility
V Side Effect- an effect of a drug other than those desired.
V Exposure- the degree of exposure to hazardous
antineoplastic agents after a healthcare workerǯs
inadvertent occupational contact with chemotherapy
drugs during the preparation, administration, and/or
disposal process.
V Chemo drugs-drugs are used to treat malignancies,
cancerous growths
Chemo Drugs Reconstitution

Spiking IV line on the Chemo IV bottle

Chemo Drugs Packing

 iving Chemo Bolus

Disposal of Chemo IV bottle

Chemo spillage and leak

Removing bed linens contaminated with patientsǯ body fluids and

waste post chemo
V !he International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France has evaluated
900 agents for their potential to cause cancer
in humans.
!he degree of internal antineoplastic
chemotherapeutic exposure reflects

1. quantity of drug uptake

2. the metabolism of the drug in the body
3. evidence of cellular manipulation after an
accidental exposure with cytotoxic agents
during the handling process.
 þ ST
(þealthcare workers)

A
T
VIR 
T

(Chemotherapy Agents)
V Acute Symptoms
V Reproductive and developmental effects
V Genetic Effects
V Cancer Development
V increased prevalence of infertility
V noted a relationship between ectopic
pregnancies and occupational exposure
V the incidence of fetal loss and the degree of
occupational exposure
V spontaneous abortions, preterm deliveries,
and small-for-gestation-age births
V potential chromosomal aberrations
V increased risk of malignancy
V Leukemia
V _ccupational exposure from hazardous drugs
may pose a significant risk to healthcare
workers.
V !here is a need to break the chain of
occupational exposure by implementing safety
recommendations that can prevent or reduce
exposure and minimize potential adverse
effects.
Health Monitoring Personal protective
þ ST equipment (the use of
!raining and education (þealthcare workers) protective gloves,
programs; gowns, respiratory
availability of material protection, and eye
safety data sheets; protection)
established work
practices, policies
Compliance?

A
T
VIR 
T

(Chemotherapy Agents)
Engineering controls (the use of biological
safety cabinets,
Proper ventilation/exhaust)
V Additional incentives for health care workers
i.e. hazard pay, health insurance benefits,
medical surveillance
Because these RISKS are real and hazardous
effects could happen in the future (we donǯt know,
we only pray they wont), and because our noble
jobs require us to face these risks in order to serve
our patients, we really need to protect ourselves,
and we hope our hospital would continue
protecting us too.
Martin, Susan. !he adverse health effects of occupational exposure to
hazardous drugs. Community Oncology. September-_ctober 2005,
Volume 2, Number 5.
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