Medical Surveillance Program

Implementation Date: 3/2022

Date of Last Review: 7/17/2023

Next Review Due: 7/16/2026

 

Reviewed by VTH Administrative Team: N/A

Reviewed by VTH Board: N/A

 

Reviewed & Approved by Hospital Director: 3/2022

Reviewed by Biosecurity Subcommittee: 3/9/2022

Subject to modification by the VTH Director without approval.

Policy

Employees who handle Hazardous Drugs (HDs) as a regular part of their job assignment will be enrolled in the Medical Surveillance program if they choose to participate.

Guidelines

Medical surveillance is part of a comprehensive exposure control program complimenting engineering controls, safe work practices, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Tracking personnel through medical surveillance allows the comparison of health variables over time in individual workers, which may facilitate early detection of a change in a laboratory value or health condition.

Procedure (if applicable)

Enrollment

1. Medical surveillance should be included in all new hire onboarding, however, if you would like to join upon changing positions at the University, ask your supervisor if your position qualifies for the Medical Surveillance Program. This would include individuals that prepare or administer an antineoplastic drug two or more times per week.
2. Contact the college Biosecurity & Safety Officer for enrollment in the program.
3. The program includes, but is not limited to, various blood tests, a basic physical, and a urinalysis.
4. The Hazardous Drug Risk Acknowledgement form must be signed before enrollment.

Monitoring

5. Routine medical surveillance testing will be performed on an annual basis.

Follow-up

6. A follow-up medical will be provided to any enrolled individuals who have shown health changes suggesting toxicity or who have experienced acute exposure.
7. Contact the college Biosecurity & Safety Officer and request follow-up medical surveillance for the person thought to be exposed. 

Definitions (if applicable)

Hazardous Drugs – Drugs are classified as hazardous when they possess any one of the following six characteristics:

• Genotoxicity – ability to cause a change or mutation in genetic material
• Carcinogenicity – ability to cause cancer or induce benign tumors
• Teratogenicity – ability to cause defects in fetal development or fetal malformation
• Fertility impairment or reproductive toxicity
• Serious organ toxicity in low doses
• Chemical structure and toxicity profile that mimic existing drugs determined to be hazardous
  
  

Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH): The collective clinical services of the Large Animal Clinic, Midwest Equine, the Small Animal Clinic, and the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic.