Category 1 Hazardous Medications
IN HOSPITAL
A guide for patients and clients and their families
Providence Care Rev. January 2014 This material is available in French and accessible formats upon request to the Communications Department. Cet outil est disponible en franรงais ou en support accessible sur demande au Service des communications.
www.providencecare.ca
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1.... IN HOSPITAL - Category 1 Hazardous Medications
Category 1 Hazardous Medications - IN HOSPITAL ...2
What can you do? You or a family member has been prescribed a medication that will require some additional precautions. Some medications require *gloves to be worn when handling them, others need additional measures. The precautions required are dependent on the category of medication that has been prescribed.
Categories of Hazardous Medications There are two categories of hazardous medications. You or your family member have been prescribed a Category 1 hazardous medication. Category 1 medications need special care when handling the medication as well as when disposing of body fluids (e.g. urine, stool, vomit and blood). While you are in the hospital receiving a Category 1 medication, there will be a sign posted outside your room and a list of protective equipment. These include nitrile gloves (usually more colourful than regular gloves), a disposable fluid-resistant gown, and mask with face shield. Nitrile gloves are worn whenever the medication is handled. The other equipment is only worn when there is a risk of contact with body fluid (e.g. during a bed bath, emptying a catheter, flushing a toilet).
If you are able to get up to the toilet by yourself you need to be careful of splashing or spilling urine or vomit around the toilet. Always wash your hands after going to the toilet - use of hand sanitizer will not wash away the chemical you excrete in your urine or feces. Males should sit on the toilet to urinate. Make sure the toilet is flushed two times. If there is a spill, notify staff immediately. If you are able to take your medications yourself, wash your hands after handling them. If you are unable to get to the toilet independently, ask the nurse to assist you with washing your hands.
What can your family members do? If you are assisting your family member to take their medications, do not touch their medications with your bare hands. Wear two pairs of nitrile gloves. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after removal of gloves. Please ensure that you dispose of the gloves in the appropriate garbage receptacle (red garbage bag). If you are assisting with personal care, please ask the assigned staff what protective equipment you need to wear. If you are washing soiled clothes, wash separately two times with regular detergent in a washing machine using hot water before adding it to the regular laundry. If there is a spill, notify staff immediately. DO NOT attempt to clean up by yourself no matter how small the spill. Please Note: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you
should not handle these medications or assist with care (even with protective equipment), if at all possible. If your have further questions, please ask your care provider.