NIOSH Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs Guidelines Becomes State Law

Abstract

Although guidelines for protecting health care workers from the dangers of hazardous drugs have been in existence for more than 25 years, there is tremendous inconsistency in compliance by oncology professionals. One reason for the discrepancy is the voluntary, nonpunitive nature of these guidelines. In 2012, Washington State became the first in the United States to mandate and enforce the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health guidelines.

Community Health Nursing Advocacy: A Concept Analysis

“…This involves taking a position on an issue, and initiating actions in a deliberate attempt to influence private and public policy choices (Labonte, 1994). Examples of advocacy work that resulted in health policy changes include previously highlighted smoke-free work places, restaurants and bars legislation (Curry et al, 2014;Nagelhout et al, 2014), health care worker protection from dangers of harzadous drugs (Eisenberg, 2012); and restaurant menu labeling (Johnson et al, 2012). CHN advocacy is important for the implementation and sustainability of legislation that impacts community health.…”

“…For example, in coordination with its members, the American Public Health Association (APHA) collaborates with key decision-makers to shape public policies that address public health concerns such as access to care, food safety, hunger and nutrition, environmental health issues, disease control, international health, and tobacco control (APHA, 2014). Other specific examples of advocacy-driven public health policies include: (1) smoke-free work places, restaurants, and bars (American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, 2014;Nagelhout et al, 2014); (2) tobacco retail display ban-a point-of-sale initiative to reduce youth exposure to tobacco product marketing (Curry, Schmitt, & Juster, 2014); (3) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health guidelines in Washington State that protect health care workers from dangers of hazardous drugs (Eisenberg, 2012); and (4) restaurant menu labeling in King County Washington State that requires chain restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide to provide calorie, saturated fat, carbohydrate, and sodium information to customers (Johnson, Payne, McNeese, & Allen, 2012). These public health issues and policies directly impact the health of communities.…”

“…Active engagement with clients and decision makers (Eisenberg, 2012;Johnson et al, 2012;Maryland & Gonzalez, 2012;Speirs et al, 2013), 2. Education or information sharing sessions about issues to ensure that everyone involved is well informed (Kohnke, 1982;Rasberry, 2008), and 3.…”

Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs in Home Infusion

“…Table 6 includes a list of OSH risks that are specific to home infusion. While exposure to HDs in home infusion is not listed as a major OSH risk,61 some states, such as Washington, have laws requiring education for all health care workers handling HDs 62. In the absence of a federal standard, this ensures that, regardless of setting, nurses receive the required HD safety education in addition to establishing PPE requirements.…”

“…While exposure to HDs in home infusion is not listed as a major OSH risk, 61 some states, such as Washington, have laws requiring education for all health care workers handling HDs. 62 In the absence of a federal standard, this ensures that, regardless of setting, nurses receive the required HD safety education in addition to establishing PPE requirements. The lack of a federal standard has relied on hospitals and infusion companies to provide HD education.…”