Anti-Neoplastic Agent Administration, Handling
& Disposal
(SOP Modified from UWMC SOP)
Prepared by S. Chou, 5/31/02 (modified by J.Kauffman 9/23/02)
INTRODUCTION:
Cancer
chemotherapy drugs can cause mutagenesis, teratogenesis, carcinogenesis, and
sterility when administered to humans.
The risk varies with the specific drug and its concentration, and with
the frequency and duration of exposure.
Concern has
therefore been raised regarding potential hazards to personnel handling
chemotherapy. Studies indicate
that observing certain precautions while handling chemotherapy reduces
personnel exposure and presumably risk.
All
personnel working with chemotherapeutic agents must read the agentŐs Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to address the requirement for hazard awareness
training.
PRECAUTIONS
FOR AGENT PREPARATION (reconstitution and dilution):
1. All agent preparation must be
performed in a ducted biosafety cabinet.
2. Wear chemotherapy gloves or double
gloves of either surgical quality latex gloves or nitrile. Chemotherapy gloves provide the
greatest protection.
3. Wear a protective gown that is
lint-free, non-permeable with a solid front, long sleeves, and tight-fitting
elastic or knit cuffs (gowns specifically designed for chemotherapeutic
agents).
4. When double gloving, one glove
should be placed under the gown cuff and one over.
5. The outer glove should be changed
immediately if contaminated.
Both gloves should be changed if the outer gloves is torn, punctured, or
overtly contaminated with the drug (as in a spill) and every hour during
preparation.
6. All potentially contaminated
disposable items (gloves used in prep) must be placed in a plastic bag (while
in the biosafety cabinet) and then in the chemotherapy waste container. Sharps should be disposed of in a
sharps container specific for chemotherapy. This sharp container must be labeled as holding chemotherapy
items.
7. Preparations should be performed
over plastic backed absorbent pads.
Dispose of as noted above, immediately upon contamination.
8. External surfaces of syringes should
be wiped with a clean alcohol pad to remove any potential contamination.
9. Chemotherapeutic agents must be
stored in an area labeled chemotherapeutic agents.
10. Chemotherapeutic agents must be
transported in ziplock bags with chemo labels.
11. Leurlock syringes are recommended.
12. A Chemotherapeutic agent spill kit
must be available. These can be
purchased from University Stores (3-1980) or Drug Services (598-6058). 70% isopropyl alcohol is an acceptable
decontaminant for these agents.
13. The ducted biosafety cabinet should
be cleaned (70% isopropyl alcohol) upon completion of tasks.
14. Hands must be washed upon completion
of tasks.
15. Excess chemotherapeutic agent, not
used, must be disposed of in chemotherapy waste container.
16. Chemotherapy gloves, gowns and
stickers can be purchased at Drug Services (598-6058).
17. Consult with EH&S Environmental
Programs at 616-5836 (or 685-2848) for disposal needs.
PRECAUTION
FOR AGENT ADMINISTRATION:
CHEMOTHERAPY
WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL:
1.
Obtain
chemotherapy waste containers from Environmental Programs at 206-685-2848
2.
Dispose
all waste in a plastic bag and discarded in the chemical waste container
3.
Seal
filled chemical waste containers with the enclosed screw top
4.
For
pick-up: Complete a Chemical Collection
Request Form and mail to Box 354400 or FAX to 206-685-2915
1.
In
case of skin contact with an antineoplastic drug product, wash the affected
area as soon as possible. Report
incident to supervisor, complete Accident/Injury Report.