What is an alternative containment strategy under an assessment of risk?

Purchasing hazardous drugs in unit-of-use packaging is an alternative containment strategy that minimizes the risk of exposure during handling and administration of those drugs. Unit-of-use packaging is designed to reduce the potential for hazardous drug contamination by providing a more contained format. This strategy is particularly effective because it can limit the number of manipulations necessary before administration, thereby reducing the likelihood of spills or environmental contamination.

In contrast, using less protective personal protective equipment (PPE) contradicts the very purpose of containment strategies, as it would likely increase the risk of exposure to hazardous drugs. Reassigning all personnel to other departments does not address the fundamental issue of safe handling of hazardous drugs and fails to provide a practical solution. Using containers that are not specifically designed for hazardous drugs can expose personnel to risk, as these containers may not provide adequate protection against leaks or contamination.