Hi, all, OSHA is interested in that letter, too, as we are trying to consider / updating our web work. Melanie and Mark, would you send that to OSHA, too?
1.
It would be really interesting to know whether anyone does “surveillance” , i.e., whether you collect a CBC, whether you collect anything more, whether you collect information on reproductive efforts
or outcomes, and whether you ever collect biological monitoring samples, for example after spills and other unexpected exposures (like ventilation system failures in pharmacies)
2.
Do people formally acknowledge and follow Oncology Nursing Society procedures? Are those acknowledged and supported by your pharmacy and nursing leadership?
3.
Do people have a formal policy on managing workers of reproductive age who are considering / planning active reproduction? Would this group be willing to answer whether
a.
You offer people a chance to transfer to a job without exposure? (men too?)
b.
Let people transfer out of an exposed job once they are pregnant?
c.
Mandate that people transfer out of an exposed job once pregnancy is known?
4.
Does anyone do formal exposure assessment, i.e., wipe samples outside of pharmacy cabinets?
Exposed here means simply working with cytotoxic agents…
Michael Hodgson, MD
OSHA Office of Occupational Medicine and Nursing
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+hodgson.michael=dol.gov@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Swift, Melanie
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 12:48 PM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Chemo Medical Surveillance
Our esteemed colleague Dr. Russi at Yale drafted a letter to NIOSH on this subject last summer which encapsulates this quagmire nicely.
Mark, would you to share this with the list or do you mind if I share it (I have it handy, I read it often…)
Melanie Swift, MD
Director, Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net]
On Behalf Of Schweitzer, Kit
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 11:41 AM
To: mcoh-eh@mylist.net
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Chemo Medical Surveillance
I am an Employee Health Nurse at a hospital in Oregon. Do any of you do medical surveillance for staff administering or handling chemo drugs?
If so, can you please describe your policy. If not, can you please provide reasons why.
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Kit Schweitzer, RN, BSN, COHN
Employee Health Nurse
Employee Health and Safety
Sacred Heart Medical Center
(541) 222-2544
Office
(541) 434-3140
e-Fax
3333 RiverBend Drive, Springfield, OR 97477
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