Cat 2 Hazardous Meds in Hospital - Patient/Family Guide

Category 2 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 2 Hazardous Medications

Category 2 Hazardous Medications - IN HOSPITAL ...2

What can you do?

You or a family member has been prescribed a medication that requires some additional precautions when handling them. These medications require nitrile gloves to be worn whenever the medication is being poured out of its container.

Categories of Hazardous Medications There are two categories of hazardous medications. You or your family member has been prescribed a Category 2 hazardous medication.

Category 2 medications need special care just when

handling the medication. This includes wearing nitrile gloves (usually more

colourful than regular gloves).

Patients receiving Category 2 medications do not require additional signage outside their room, but will require a special garbage receptacle (usually a red garbage bag) for disposal of contaminated gloves.

If you are able to take your medication yourself, please ensure that you wash your hands after touching your medications.

If you cannot get to the sink or toilet independently, ask your nurse to help you wash your hands with soap and water or washcloths or disposable wipes to ensure all medication residue has been removed.

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).

Please Note: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you

should not handle these medications (even with gloves), if at all possible.

Why doesn’t the patient need to wear gloves?

• The patient does not need to wear gloves because they are taking the medication directly.

• The need to wash their hands however to ensure that no medication residue contaminates surfaces around them.

If your have further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask your care provider.