Handling dangerous medicines: what risks do nursing staff face?
Many nursing and healthcare staff will handle hazardous medicinal products during their working careers, but there is a lack of UK legislation or clear guidance on their use. Hazardous medicinal products are often used in cancer care, but can also form a part of multiple sclerosis, HIV, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, erythematosus and organ transplant care and treatment. Healthcare workers can be exposed to danger by ingestion (eg poor hand hygiene or food contamination), absorption (eg spills, splashes and poor personal protective equipment) and inhalation (eg droplets/vapours from spillage). The RCN has guidance on the use of carcinogens and mutagens, but wants broader legislation and guidance to help protect nursing staff
