Letter to the Editor: Hazardous Drug Classification

HOME

PATIENT SAFETY AUTHORITY

PA-PSRS and PASSKEY

PATIENT SAFETY ADVISORIES

PATIENTS AND CONSUMERS

NEWS AND INFORMATION

EDUCATIONAL TOOLS

AUTHORITY EVENTS

ADDRESS:
Patient Safety Authority
333 Market Street
Lobby Level
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Phone: 717-346-0469
Fax: 717-346-1090

Advanced Search

Letter to the Editor: Hazardous Drug Classification

Pa Patient Saf Advis 2009 Mar;6(1):2.

Hazardous Drug Classification

Regarding the article “Hazardous Spills: The Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs” in the September 2008 issue of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory, it probably should be added in an addendum that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies some drugs by characteristic(s). Hence, these drugs are by definition hazardous (e.g., paraldehyde, chloral hydrate). This classification bears on the proper disposal. For additional information, please see http://www.mainebenzo.org.

Stevan Gressitt, MD, Medical Director
Office of Adult Mental Health Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Augusta, Maine

Editor’s Note

Thank you for your letter to the editor regarding the September 2008 Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory article “Hazardous Spills: The Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs” and for providing the additional information link to the Safe Medicine Disposal for Maine Program.The application of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency characteristics (i.e., ignitability, corrosively, reactivity, toxicity) occurs when the drug becomes a waste.¹ The focus of the September 2008 article was the safe handling of these drugs during the entire life cycle, including manufacturing, transporting, dispensing, and administering, before ending at waste disposal. The article’s risk reduction strategies include cradle-to-grave considerations for hazardous drugs because many chemotherapy agents are now used for noncancerous conditions, a practice that increases exposure to healthcare providers, patients, and families. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Oncology Nursing Society, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards apply from receipt of the drug to administration and/or disposal.

Note

United States Environmental Protection Agency. What makes a waste hazardous? [online]. 2000 Oct [cited 2009 Feb 13]. Available from Internet: http://www.epa.gov/osw/wycd/manag-hw/e00-001e.pdf.

Browse by Topic

	Discipline
	Audience
	Care Setting
	Event
	Patient Safety Focus
	Hospital-Acquired Condition

	Print / Save PDF
	Email to a Friend
	Editorial Information
	Subscribe to the Advisories

Navigation

Back to Advisory Issue

Article Sections

Letter to the Editor: Hazardous Drug Classification

	THE PENNSYLVANIA PATIENT SAFETY AUTHORITY AND ITS CONTRACTORS
	The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency created by Act 13 of 2002, the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (“Mcare”) Act. Consistent with Act 13, ECRI Institute, as contractor for the Authority, is issuing this publication to advise medical facilities of immediate changes that can be instituted to reduce Serious Events and Incidents. For more information about the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, see the Authority’s Web site at www.patientsafetyauthority.org .
	ECRI Institute, a nonprofit organization, dedicates itself to bringing the discipline of applied scientific research in healthcare to uncover the best approaches to improving patient care. As pioneers in this science for more than 40 years, ECRI Institute marries experience and independence with the objectivity of evidence-based research. More than 5,000 healthcare organizations worldwide rely on ECRI Institute’s expertise in patient safety improvement, risk and quality management, and healthcare processes, devices, procedures and drug technology.
	The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to medication error prevention and safe medication use. ISMP provides recommendations for the safe use of medications to the healthcare community including healthcare professionals, government agencies, accrediting organizations, and consumers. ISMP’s efforts are built on a nonpunitive approach and systems-based solutions.