This course discusses key requirements in USP General Chapter <800> Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings. The course will describe the standards to protect personnel, patients, and the environment when handling hazardous drugs (HDs). Handling HDs includes, but is not limited to, the receipt, storage, compounding, dispensing, administration, and disposal of sterile and nonsterile products and preparations. The course will provide an overview of the chapter and describe personnel responsibilities, and facility design, engineering control, and documentation requirements.

Subject area:
Healthcare Quality & Safety

Objectives (If applicable):
Describe the scope of USP General Chapter <800>, including the types of exposure, a list of HDs, and how to design an assessment of risk
Define the responsibilities of personnel who handle HDs
Describe the requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE)
Summarize HD training requirements
Describe the facility and engineering controls used for handling of HDs
Identify the practice areas affected by USP <800>, such as receiving, transporting, storing, compounding, labeling, packaging, disposing, dispensing, and administering HDs
List the documentation requirements and concepts of hazardous communication and medical surveillance programs
Describe the environmental quality control and proper cleaning and spill control management of HDs

Target Audience (If applicable):
All healthcare personnel who handle HD preparations and work at facilities that store, prepare, transport, or administer HDs (e.g., pharmacies, hospitals or healthcare institutions, patient treatment clinics, physicians’ practice facilities, veterinarians’ offices).