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Dear IPC team,
I hope this email finds you well.
I am reaching out with a quick query if you know if there is any established information or guidelines on the necessity of using purple-colored gloves for handling cytotoxic medications.
In the context of an aged care setting, where exposure to cytotoxic is relatively low, would it suffice for the gloves to be nitrile regardless of their colour when handling those drugs? (the company that provide the stock said they do not supply it anymore because their blue nitrile glove compline with Cytotoxic protection) Or is there a specific reason that mandates the use of purple gloves?
Your insights and guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Loida (Eunice) Castro Torrealba, Quality Governance Consultant – IPC
Bupa Villages and Aged Care – AustraliaBupa APAC email disclaimer: The information contained in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be subject to copyright or other intellectual property protection. If you are not the intended recipient, you are not authorized to use or disclose this information, and we request that you notify us by reply mail or telephone and delete the original message from your mail system.
MESSAGES POSTED TO THIS LIST ARE SOLELY THE OPINION OF THE AUTHOR, AND DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINION OF ACIPC.
The use of trade/product/commercial brand names through the list is discouraged by ACIPC. If you wish to discuss specific reference to products or services by brand or commercial names, please do this outside the list.Hi Loida (Eunice),
Great question.
In aged care cytotoxic exposure can occur during drug administration and in the management of body fluids and contaminated items from body fluids. Hence protection for care staff, resident carers (as appropriate) , cleaners (bathroom cleaning), laundry staff (washing body fluid contaminated clothing items) all needs to be considered – PPE will vary depending on the task and exposure risk.
In regards to guidelines, these are state/territory based and local policies are reflected from these. So it depends where you are located as to where I could guide you.
Purple identifies cytotoxic risk and clearly disingishes between what is being handled. However, if the blue gloves provide cyctoxic protection and staff etc are safe, then there should be little concern of colour (the colour of these gloves is close to purple – the use of white or black nitrile gloves in this setting can be avoided).
The focus should be on the used PPE items going into a purple, symboled cytoxic waste bag so that it can be transported (inhouse and externally) and distroyed safely and correctly. Incinaration temps are higher for cytotoxic waste to ensure destruction.
Hope this is helpful
Regards Carrie
On behalf of Mark Rigby
Hi Loida
While purple gloves are routinely used in oncology units, I think in an aged care context it would be more critical to simply ensure the gloves used are acceptable for handling cytotoxics and that there are appropriate “purple bins/bags” for these gloves to be disposed of into. There does not appear to be any guidelines specifying the required color of the gloves.
EviQ is a fantastic resource for all things oncology. There is a section on PPE and some links to state based guidelines. https://www.eviq.org.au/clinical-resources/administration-of-anti-cancer-drugs/188-safe-handling-and-waste-management-of-hazardou#personal-protective-equipment-ppe
Also, a google search for cytotoxic gloves will help identify suppliers who specify gloves that are suitable for use when handling cytotoxics.
Hope this helps
Mark Rigby
Infection Prevention Consultant
Credentialled Infection Control Professional – Advanced (CICP-A)
B.Pharm
Victorian Infection Prevention Services (VICIPS)
Mobile: 0417544117
Email: mark@vicips.com.au
Website: vicips.com.au
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