Basics of compounding for hazardous drugs, part 1: an introduction

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Publication No.2004-165, Preventing Occupational Exposure to Antineoplastic and Other Hazarous Drugs in Health Care Settings, was published in 2004 to increase the awareness of healthcare workers and other professionals about the health risks of working with hazardous drugs and to provide measures for protecting their health. The health risks to emplyees who prepare or administer hazardous drugs in the workplace is influenced by many factors, and each compounding facility is responsible for developing its own list of hazardous drugs and for creating standard operating procedures to reduce risks as much as possible for employees. To provide employees with the greatest protection, employers should (1)implement necessary administrative and engineering controls, and (2)assure that the workers use sound procedures and proper protective equipment for handling hazardous drugs.