Cytotoxic drug handlers--monitoring in the occupational health setting

Many advances have been made in the area of cytotoxic drug handling among health care workers. The publication of technical guidelines in the late 1980s and early 1990s have served a fundamental role in increasing awareness of the potential risk to health care workers exposed to cytotoxic agents. The OSHA and ASHP guidelines have greatly assisted occupational health professionals in developing appropriate policy for their hospital institution. However, with their use during the years, the guidelines have been criticized as impractical and not very useful. Occupational health professionals welcome the changes on the horizon as research uncovers new and better ways to monitor high risk employees.