ASA Comments on NIOSH Hazardous Drug List

On July 30, 2020, the American Society of Anesthesiologists in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Obstetrics Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) submitted comments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) advocating for the removal of oxytocin, ergonovine, and methylergonovine from the NIOSH Hazardous Drug List. The NIOSH proposed regulations has particular importance to health care workers as decisions made by NIOSH officials will determine the types of personal protective equipment (PPE) that will be required by hospitals, facilities, and accrediting organizations. The list has a significant and widespread impact on health care, especially as it relates to occupational safety, health care costs and environmental sustainability.

Our comments focused primarily on:

• Removing oxytocin, ergonovine, and methylergonovine from the NIOSH List of Antineoplastic & Other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings based on the lack of occupational hazard evidence available.
• Requesting NIOSH make publicly available all previous and current evidence submitted by manufacturers, ASA and ACOG, and other sources that NIOSH researchers use to make a determination to maintain those drugs on the hazardous drug list.

Since 2012, ASA and ACOG have petitioned to remove oxytocin, ergonovine, and methylergonovine from the NIOSH Hazardous Drug List because of the regulatory and operational burdens for hospitals and clinicians. The inclusion of these drugs will continue to negatively impact anesthesia and obstetric workflows, but also more importantly, patient health and safety. We look forward to continued work with ACOG and SOAP to advocate for our members on this important issue.

For a full list of ASA recommendations and comments

For further information, please contact the ASA Department of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at [email protected].