Background The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health USA (INSHT) in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH) has conducted a compilation of all drugs used in hospitals considered dangerous, with recommendations for proper preparation and administration, considered of great interest for all workers and patients.

Purpose To optimise pharmaceutical care in outpatient consultation by including INSHT recommendations into the pharmacotherapeutic interview, and by updating the written information received by patients.

Material and methods In September 2016, the INSHT’s list of hazardous medications was published in collaboration with SEFH. Medications included in our pharmacotherapeutic guide that were administered to outpatients were revised. Pharmaceutical care protocols including the aforementioned medications were revised and modified. Also, necessary modifications to the information sheets were made. The following items were included in the information sheets for patients: preparation recommendations, administration recommendations and causes of hazard.

Results Of the 319 pharmaceuticals labelled hazardous by INSHT, 24 hazardous pharmaceuticals were detected, which were being administered in the outpatient care area. The majority of those phamaceuticals were antivirals against HIV and chronic hepatitis virus (33.33%), immunosuppressants (25%) and medication for pulmonary hypertension (16.66%). Pharmaceutical care protocols and information sheets for patients were modified in 100% of all medications involved, which included a section with specific recommendations.

Conclusion Patients and healthcare workers are exposed to a series of chemical hazards due to preparation and administration of drugs. They must take preventive measures in order to avoid exposure, as its effects can be dangerous for the workers. Periodic review and update of pharmaceutical care protocols, and of all materials employed, improves both the quality of outpatient healthcare services and patient safety.

No conflict of interest