“Detection of drug residue in urine can take from 12 hours to 7 days.The ONS recommends using a disposable gown and double gloves for 48 hours after administration, and NIOSH extends those recommendations to 7 days for specific drugs. Linens should be handled in the same fashion. This is particularly important information for ancillary staff that may not normally receive drug-specific training or understand the potential dangers of these drugs."
"In terms of risk potential, a recent survey of more than 3000 oncology nurses showed that those who administer chemotherapy before and during pregnancy were 2.3 to 5 times more likely to give birth prematurely and have children with learning disabilities, especially language and motor problems. For this reason, both the ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice and the ASHP Guidelines on Handling Hazardous Drugs state that employers should allow employees who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to become pregnant to be given non–chemotherapy-related duties during this time frame"
Eisenberg, S. (2009). Safe Handling and Administration of Antineoplastic Chemotherapy. Journal of Infusion Nursing, 32(1), 23-32.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in the Health Care Setting. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; 2004. NIOSH Publication No. 2004–165.
Polovich M, White JM, Kelleher LO, eds. Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice. 2nd ed. Pittsburgh, PA: Oncology Nursing Society; 2005.
