A Guide To Safe Handling of Chemotherapy Drugs

THE ISSUES:

• Safe handling of chemotherapy drugs is a top priority for all healthcare professionals who prepare, administer and/or clean-up chemotherapy drugs.
• For the latex-sensitive individual, a latex-free glove for safe handling of chemotherapy drugs must be considered.

THE SOLUTION:

• Ansell addresses all the issues by offering a variety of latex and non-latex gloving choices - from extra protection latex and nitrile examination gloves to neoprene surgical gloves - all are powder-free, all are choices for handling chemotherapy drugs.

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GLOVE TIPS

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves are not recommended for handling chemotherapy drugs.
• Always use powder-free gloves. Glove powders contaminated with chemotherapy drugs can become airborne and may be subsequently inhaled. Also, powder residue will attach to supplies, work surfaces and the skin.
• If double-gloving, insert first glove under the cuff and place the second glove over the cuff. If single-gloving, place the clean glove over the cuff' of the gown.
• Use extra-thick gloves, or better yet, use double gloves.
• Before handling chemotherapy drugs, always inspect gloves for holes, tears or any type of defect. Unless the film is intact, it cannot provide a barrier.
• Although surgical gloves are recommended for preparation, administration, cleanup and general handling, sterility is not always required especially with cleanup and housekeeping procedures.

DRUG PREPARATION

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves are not recommended for handling chemotherapy drugs.
• Never use powdered gloves during drug preparation.
• Use double gloving unless it interferes with the drug preparation technique. A double layer of gloves is substantially less permeable to chemotherapy drugs.
• Change all gloves regularly (hourly) or immediately if they are torn or punctured.
• Do not wear gloves outside the preparation area.
• Dispose of used gloves according to proper hospital toxic waste procedures.

DRUG ADMINISTRATION

• Wear high quality gloves that have demonstrated safe use when handling chemotherapy drugs. Double-gloving is recommended.
• Wash hands before putting on gloves.
• Change contaminated gloves immediately.
• Wash hands after removing gloves.
• Dispose of gloves according to proper hospital toxic waste procedures.

DRUG CLEAN UP and GENERAL HANDLING

• Wear high quality gloves that have demonstrated safe use for handling chemotherapy drugs when dealing with blood, vomitus, excreta and other bodily fluids from chemotherapy drug patients.
• Discard gloves after each use.
• Laundry personnel coming into contact with linen contaminated with chemotherapy drug patients' body fluids should wear high quality gloves that have demonstrated safe use for handling chemotherapy drugs.
• Housekeeping personnel should wear high quality gloves that have demonstrated safe use for handling chemotherapy drugs when handling waste containers.
• Spills should only be cleaned up by personnel wearing a double layer of gloves.
• Spill kits for use in responding to spills should include two (2) pair of gloves; one outer pair of utility gloves and one inner pair of latex or Latex Free gloves.
• All personnel involved in any aspect of handling chemotherapy drugs must receive an orientation on chemotherapy drugs including proper use of protective equipment.