Transcript Safe handling of drugs chemicals

Safe Handling of
drugs & chemicals
Drug safety
The practice should have in place a policy
on what to do if confronted with a criminal
wanting the drugs.
Policy should be made quite clear to all
members of staff who later join the
practice.
This policy should not be common
knowledge.
Drug abuse
Drug abuse is not an uncommon problem
in the profession.
This is due to the ease of access.
Ensuring proper records makes access
more difficult.
Keep yourself safe from being blamed if
drugs go missing by ensuring you always
follow the correct procedures.
Accidents with drugs
Any drug can be harmful if accidentally
injected into oneself.
The drugs that are of particular concern to
veterinary nurses include: anaesthetics,
some vaccines, hormones and
prostaglandins, parasiticides, cytotoxic
drugs (drugs that damage or kill cells, eg
used to treat malignancies) and antibiotics.
Chemical safety
All chemicals in a laboratory or clinic must
have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
Provided by the manufacturer.
Provide important information on spillage
disposal and safety.
Learn to read these complex data sheets.
Advisable to have a summary of this
information for commonly used chemicals
displayed in a handy location for an
emergency.
Toxic chemical.
Avoid ingesting, injecting, inhaling
fumes or skin contact.
The terms poison and toxic are
interchangeable.
Toxic labels may be used with other
labels eg corrosive or flammable.
Corrosive.
Avoid skin contact and avoid inhaling
fumes, a fume hood may be required.
Biohazard.
Treat as potentially infectious.
Laboratory samples are biohazards.
Seal lids tightly to prevent leakage
and package to avoid breakage.
Transport in a bio-hazard bag.
Radioactive.
Use lead protection, limit exposure and
take special care at child bearing and
child siring ages.
Flammable.
Avoid all ignition sources, do not store
in the refrigerator.
Includes formalin used to preserve
tissue. Care must be taken to prevent
formalin fumes leaking.
Oxidising agent including peroxide forming
compounds.
Treat as flammable.
Highly explosive!!
Known carcinogen, mutagen or teratogen.
Substances with this label need
handled with caution especially avoiding
skin contact and avoid inhaling fumes.
Harmful (moderately).
Stow away from foodstuffs.
Irritant.
Avoid skin contact and avoid inhaling
fumes.