This is an excerpt from a member-only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login, subscribe, or try out HSC for 30 days.

Think broadly about who faces toxic drug exposure

PRINT THIS PAGE | RETURN TO ARTICLE

July 1, 2009

Accidental staff exposures to toxic drugs—especially those designed to kill certain cells (e.g., chemotherapy compounds)—can result in skin rashes, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and possibly leukemia or other cancers. 

Whereas patients understand what side effects to expect when taking limited, high-dose treatments of a single substance, it’s tough to gauge what will happen to hospital employees who, over time, can get exposed to low doses of multiple toxins. 



This is an excerpt from a member-only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login, subscribe, or try out HSC for 30 days.



Copyright © 2010. Hospital Safety Center.