Precautions followed by personnel involved with the preparation of parenteral antineoplastic medications.

There have been no guidelines published for precautions to be taken by personnel preparing parenteral antineoplastic agents. A questionnaire was prepared and mailed to all of the Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the United States for their opinions on this subject. A response rate of 84% was achieved. The major concerns of the respondents were 1) the local effect from spillage of antineoplastics on the skin and 2) the possible inhalation of solutions vaporized during preparation. On the basis of the responses to the questionnaire, it is recommended that all hospitals evaluate their procedures for preparing antineoplastics and take appropriate precautions to protect their personnel from any potential adverse effects from the medication prepared.