The Role of Closed System Transfer Devices in Mitigating the Risks Posed to Healthcare Workers in the Handling of Hazardous Drugs

an ovERviEW of THE RiSKS PoSED To HEalTHCaRE WoRKERS Cancer is the world’s leading cause of death, claiming the lives of an estimated 7.9 million people in 2007 alone.1 Experts expect these numbers to double before 2030.1 The unsafe handling of hazardous drugs used to treat many forms of cancer has been recognized since the 1970s as a significant health hazard to workers. Studies have shown that workers can be at risk of exposure to these drugs throughout their lifecycle—from manufacture to distribution to use in the clinical or home care environment and all the way through to waste disposal. Healthcare workers who handle these drugs may be exposed by inhaling aerosols or dust generated during pharmacy preparation and nursing administration, or by direct contact with the skin during accidental needlesticks, spills, or spill cleanup.