Darryl,

Interesting question. I assume the concern is for "secondhand" exposure to chemo agents?

My first thought would be getting with her provider to see what regimen she is on, assuming they send her to you for an evaluation and you can get a release to discuss her case with her provider. A brief review of the pharmacology of the agents should inform you regarding toxicity, half-life, routes of elimination (renal/liver) and whether or not excreted in sweat. Should also tell you if excreted unchanged or metabolized to inactive compounds, etc.

I would think the heme/onc folks may have some professional society guidelines/data on such questions they may be able to share.

This should help with a risk assessment/mitigation (if needed)/communication strategy for the area in question.

Hope this helps!

Good luck!

Kevin M. Smith, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Medical Director
Phoebe Corporate Health
Phoebe Employee Health Services
229-312-9220
229-889-7074 Fax
From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Lesoski, Darryl via MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Sent: Monday, March 18, 2024 10:29 AM
To: MCOH/EH <mcoh-eh@mylist.net>
Cc: Lesoski, Darryl <DLESOSKI@mhc.net>
Subject: [MCOH-EH] IV Chemotherapy and return to work
 
SO SORRY for all my questions but they just keep popping up!! 😊 Here is a question from our administration staff: I have a question and not sure if you can help me or not. I have an employee who is getting IV chemo every 3 weeks, and
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SO SORRY for all my questions but they just keep popping up!! 😊

 

Here is a question from our administration staff:  I have a question and not sure if you can help me or not.  I have an employee who is getting IV chemo every 3 weeks, and she was told by her physician that she was safe to come back to work after that. I have staff questioning if that is true and asking to be trained on chem precautions. I reached out to HR and they thought you may be able to help. 

 

Can anyone point me to a reliable source of information?  Do you have a policy in place that addresses this concern?  What approach do you take at your medical center?

 

Looking for voices of reason and sound expert advise which is why I turn to all of you!!!  THANKS ahead of time.

 

Darryl

 

 

Darryl Lesoski, MD, MPH, FACOEM

 

System Medical Director – Occupational Health and Medicine, Employee Health

Munson Medical Center

Munson Occupational Health and Medicine

Email: dlesoski@mhc.net

 

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