Q: How does USP <800> refer to closed system transfer devices (CSTDs)?

A: CSTDs are referred to as a containment supplemental engineering control that provide adjunct controls to offer an additional level of protection during compounding or administration. Supplemental engineering controls may also facilitate enhanced occupational protection, especially when handling HDs outside of primary and secondary engineering controls.

Q: Does USP <800> acknowledge that all CSTDs will perform adequately?

A: No, USP <800> reveals that there is no certainty that all CSTDs will perform adequately. Therefore, users should carefully evaluate the performance claims associated with available CSTDs based on independent, peer-reviewed studies and demonstrated contamination reduction.

Q: Can hazardous drugs (HDs) vaporize at room temperature increasing risk of occupational exposure?

A: Yes, the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Toolkit for Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs for Nurses in Oncology identifies 8 HDs with the potential to vaporize at room temperature including Carmustine, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, 5-Florouracil, Ifosfamide, Nitrogen mustard and Thiptepa. Read more >