If a NIOSH Group 1 HD is supplied as a ready-to-administer injection, must all containment requirements be followed when expelling air from the syringe?

The correct answer is that only an assessment of risk may be performed. In the context of NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Group 1 hazardous drugs (HDs), the necessary containment requirements apply more rigorously during activities that directly contribute to the potential for exposure, such as the manipulation of the drug itself. When dealing with a ready-to-administer injection, the risk of aerosolization or contamination is significantly reduced, and therefore it may not necessitate strict adherence to all containment measures.

Conducting a risk assessment allows healthcare professionals to evaluate the potential for exposure in the specific context of their work environment and the nature of the drug being handled. This tailored evaluation enables them to implement appropriate safety precautions while ensuring that the actions taken are proportionate to the assessed risks. Thus, this approach recognizes that while caution is always advisable when handling hazardous drugs, not every scenario requires the same stringent containment measures, especially when the drug is already in a ready-to-administer form.