What type of gloves should be worn during the non-sterile compounding of hazardous materials?

Wearing double chemotherapy gloves during the non-sterile compounding of hazardous materials is essential to provide an added layer of protection. Hazardous materials, including certain chemotherapeutics, can pose significant risks to healthcare workers through skin exposure. The use of single chemotherapy gloves may not provide sufficient protection, especially if there are any punctures or breaches.

Double gloving creates a barrier that can help prevent contamination and exposure to these hazardous substances. Furthermore, chemotherapy gloves are specifically designed to resist permeation by certain chemicals associated with antineoplastic agents, making them suitable for handling hazardous medications.

While nitrile gloves offer good resistance to many chemicals, they are not classified as chemotherapy gloves, and latex gloves may not provide adequate protection due to their tendency to degrade in the presence of chemotherapy drugs and the risk of allergic reactions. Therefore, the choice of double chemotherapy gloves is a best practice for maintaining safety standards in environments where hazardous materials are handled.