What is the purpose of a chemotherapy spill mat?

The purpose of a chemotherapy spill mat is to absorb liquid during a spill, which is crucial in maintaining a safe environment in settings where chemotherapy agents are used. These mats are specifically designed to contain and absorb hazardous liquids, preventing them from spreading and reducing the risk of exposure to staff and patients.

Using a chemotherapy spill mat helps to manage spills effectively by minimizing contamination and providing an immediate response to potential hazards. This is particularly important given the toxic nature of many chemotherapy drugs, which can pose serious health risks if they come into contact with skin or are inhaled.

While other options suggest important practices in handling chemotherapy agents, they do not directly relate to the specific function of a spill mat. For instance, cleaning instruments is a separate process, storing chemotherapy drugs refers to safe storage protocols, and protecting staff from radiation pertains to safety measures for radiopharmaceuticals, not chemotherapy spills.