Following an incident or near-miss in handling hazardous drugs, what should occur?

After an incident or near-miss involving hazardous drugs, conducting a new risk assessment is essential to ensure the safety of staff and patients. This action allows for the identification of the weaknesses in current procedures or practices that led to the incident. It enables healthcare facilities to evaluate existing protocols for handling hazardous drugs and determine necessary adjustments or improvements.

A risk assessment can help prevent future incidents by analyzing the circumstances of the near-miss, assessing the potential impact on health and safety, and implementing measures to mitigate risks. This proactive approach underscores the commitment to maintaining a safe environment, adhering to guidelines established by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 800, and promoting continuous improvement in handling hazardous materials.

Without this thorough reassessment, organizations may miss critical opportunities to enhance safety and procedures. Consequently, the option to only provide documentation of the incident or to rely on verbal warnings lacks the depth of action required to address the root causes and enhance safety practices effectively. Thus, prioritizing a comprehensive risk assessment after such events is the most constructive response.