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Handling toxic drugs: a simple packaging fix

Broken vials, shattered glass and exposure to toxic contents are every drug handler's nightmare. A relatively simple fix from Iwata improves safety for healthcare workers and others.

Iwata VPP series help to minimize the risk of vial breakage.
Iwata VPP series help to minimize the risk of vial breakage.

How to prevent caregivers and healthcare workers from accidental exposure to toxic cancer drugs, even as more and more of these drug regimens are being administered at home? It could be as simple as preventing a vial from breaking.

Vials of expensive cancer drugs can be highly toxic, and when a glass vial shatters and the contents are scattered, there are dire health consequences for those who package, transport, administer and discard the drugs. Not to mention costly cleanup and decontamination procedures in the event of breakage.

A 2011 study examined the risk to nurses treating cancer patients being exposed to chemotherapy drugs and their toxic effects. The results showed that nearly 17% of nurses working in centers where outpatient chemotherapy infusions are administered reported being exposed on their skin or eyes to the drugs. The researchers surveyed 1,339 oncology nurses working in Michigan in outpatient settings. About 84% of chemotherapy is delivered in such settings, the researchers said.

Unintentional chemotherapy exposure can affect the nervous system, impair the reproductive system and bring an increased risk of developing blood cancers in the future, the researchers said. These exposures can be as dangerous to a nurse's health as an accidental needle stick.

Safety guidelines, such as recommendations for using gowns, gloves and other protective gear when handling chemotherapy drugs, have been issued by organizations such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, but these guidelines are not yet mandatory, the researchers said.

Protecting the vial

The following guidelines regarding packaging and segregation of cancer drugs were recently recommended by an international pharmacy panel:

• Effective packaging and segregation techniques should be used to avoid contamination prior to distribution.

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