Medical facilities in the United States are faced with the challenge of meeting the December 2019 requirements of U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention General Chapter <800> (USP <800>) Hazardous Drugs—Handling in Healthcare Settings. A 300-bed hospital in western Washington formed a practice improvement group to address the requirements of USP <800>. The development of a hazardous drug control program at the hospital not only met the requirements of USP <800> but also helped staff members understand what hazardous drugs are and the safety measures that are necessary when handling them.

AT A GLANCE

• To meet the requirements of USP <800>, healthcare organizations will need to provide appropriate personal protective equipment, specific engineering controls, and education for staff who handle hazardous drugs.
• Using a hazardous drug risk assessment tool is a critical step for a thorough gap analysis. 
• An interprofessional approach to creating a hazardous drug program can help to ensure that requirements are met for USP <800>.