Prevention Guide - Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs - Irsst

10. ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS
containers; this pad will also absorb any contamination. Avoiding pushing on the
plunger, the protective cap on the syringe should be removed over the absorbent pad;
‣ following the injection, discard the syringe in a rigid cytotoxic waste container and
place the rest of the material in a Ziploc ® type bag, which is to be discarded with the
cytotoxic waste.
In the event that several consecutive intrathecal injections are required, the technique is
the same for each syringe, i.e., the first syringe is placed on the absorbent pad, the
contents of the second syringe are injected, etc. Everything is then discarded as described
above.
10.3.15 Hazardous Drug Returns RATING: ++
Use procedures that limit contamination to return unused hazardous drugs to the
pharmacy.
RECOMMENDATIONS
10.3.15.1 Hazardous drug returns should be placed in a closed, leakproof, plastic bag (e.g. Ziploc ®
type), particularly if the treatment is postponed, refused or changed.
10.3.15.2 The closed, leakproof, plastic bag containing the unused hazardous drug returns should be
taken from the care unit/clinic to the pharmacy in a rigid, shock-resistant, leakproof
container made of a material which can be easily cleaned and decontaminated in the event
of a leak. The transport container must be identified with the “Cytotoxic” hazard symbol.
10.3.15.3 Mechanical transport systems (such as pneumatic systems),which put stress on the
contents, should not be used unless certain conditions are met (see 9.3.1.4).
10.3.15.4 Avoid using the transport containers for other purposes within the institution; in addition,
the containers should be cleaned periodically (e.g. every three months).
CSHP, Section 8.9
10.3.16 Spill Kit RATING: +++
Make sure a kit is available for the management of spills.
RECOMMENDATIONS
10.3.16.1 A spill management kit must be available in proximity to the care units/clinics where
hazardous drugs are administered. In the event of a spill, see Section 12.3.4 and Appendix
4.
ASHP, p. 1176, 1183, 1189-90 ♦ CSHP, Section 8.15.3 ♦ NIOSH, p. 11, 12, 18 ♦ ONS, p. 31-32 ♦
OSHA, Section Vc5
10-16 ASSTSAS PREVENTION GUIDE – SAFE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS DRUGS