Make no mistake , the numerous chemicals , sterilants and products SPDs rely on daily can present a serious safety threat , and everyone working in the department must know how to protect and care for themselves or their colleagues if an accident or exposure occurs .
When evaluating and purchasing a new chemical product , the SDS should be carefully reviewed to ensure the department can meet the storage requirements and also ensure the department has the required PPE for use with the chemical . Chemical spill kits must also be readily available and visible to departmental staff . Because the IFU provides directions for proper product use , and the SDS provides directions for the exposure or spill of a chemical product , there will be times when SP professionals will need to refer to both . SPDs would benefit by holding in-services to discuss new products , explore details of the SDS and address employee questions and concerns .
Conclusion
SPDs must strive to keep employees safe . Engaging in safe practices and ensuring all SP professionals understand the steps involved in mitigating risks and addressing safety incidents when they occur is essential for positive outcomes — and the SDS is an essential tool to help meet that critical goal .
Author ’ s note : SDSs ’ 16 sections provide an abundance of information that can seem daunting to the reader / user . These data sheets can be broken down further to simplify reading . For example , Sections 1 – 3 describe basic chemical details ; Sections 4 – 8 describe recommended actions in the event of an accident ; Sections 9 – 11 describe technical details such as nature of the material and where the hazards exist ; and Sections 12 – 16 contain information for specific needs . I advocate reviewing the complete SDS , but it is vital to focus on sections 1 – 8 because these sections are needed for preparation or quick action .
Tony Thurmond , CRCST , CIS , CHL , serves as central service manager for Dayton Children ’ s Hospital . He is a past-president and current board member of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association ( HSPA ). He attained his HSPA fellowship distinction in 2021 .
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