| Several healthcare organizations have designed closed | | | | the drug manufacturing industries. |
| system drug transfer devices for the safe handling | | | | The process of crushing the tablets, withdrawing |
| of hazardous drugs in their workplaces. These | | | | needles from drug vials, transferring drugs with |
| designed safety equipments are first reviewed and | | | | syringes and handling open ampoules etc involves |
| validated with the specified specifications of closed | | | | risks of exposures. These chemicals may produce |
| systems as established by international healthcare | | | | immediate and long term health effects not only in |
| units and national occupational safety systems. This in | | | | workers handling them but also results in the |
| turn helps to select the best suited equipments to | | | | contamination of surrounding areas and thus affecting |
| carry out numerous drug related activities and hence | | | | several other lives. Administration of workers with |
| produce efficient results in the reduction of | | | | contaminated devices and equipments are other |
| healthcare exposures to these hazardous chemical | | | | routes of drug exposure. |
| substances. | | | | Many healthcare units put forward the use of closed |
| Healthcare workers and other professionals may get | | | | systems for carrying out several drug handling |
| exposed to perilous drugs due to inhalation of | | | | process. According to their definition, a closed system |
| medicine vapors and aerosols, direct skin absorptions | | | | should be air tight and leak-proof. It should |
| and through ingestion when they come in contact | | | | incorporate designs to prohibit both the escape of |
| with the disinfected food stuffs. The hazardous | | | | drug into the environment and transfer of |
| chemicals such as antineoplastic and cytotoxic agents | | | | surrounding contaminants into the system. There are |
| are liberated out when drugs are used in several | | | | several closed system drug transfer devices which |
| treatment techniques. Their manufacture itself is a | | | | can effectively address the risks of exposures. |
| potential source of exposure for staffs engaged in | | | | |