Protegendo Vidas: Estratégias Integradas para a Prevenção e Mitigação de Riscos para a Saúde Causados por Produtos Medicinais Perigosos

The SHIELD-HMP project presents an urgent response to a critical public health challenge: the exposure of healthcare workers across the European Union to HMPs. These substances are vital for treating various conditions, including cancer and chronic diseases, yet they pose a paradoxical risk. While beneficial for patients, HMPs can potentially harm healthcare workers involved in their preparation and administration. The project is supported by substantial data, highlighting an increased risk of cancer and reproductive health issues among these workers [1], and proposes a comprehensive approach to prevent and mitigate these risks. The objectives of the SHIELD-HMP project are strategically designed to address this issue through: 1. DETAILED EXPOSURE MAPPING: This involves assessing the extent of healthcare workers’ exposure to HMPs in Portuguese hospitals, thereby setting a benchmark for analogous evaluations throughout the EU. It is important to emphasize that novel high-resolution analytical methodologies will be developed and implemented for both environmental and biological exposure assessments to HMPs (as mandated by EU Directive 2022/431). These methodologies will enable the acquisition of comprehensive exposure data in Portuguese hospitals and provide essential resources to other EU countries lacking such analytical capabilities. 2. RISK IDENTIFICATION AND HEALTH IMPACT EVALUATION: Identifying the sources of HMP exposure and assessing their potential health burdens on healthcare workers is crucial. This will help prioritize HMPs for the EU and establish exposure limit values, aligning with current European Commission goals. 3. INNOVATIVE PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND STRATEGIES: This project will develop a new global cleaning protocol to effectively decontaminate surfaces and mitigate dermal exposure to HMPs. It will also establish guidelines for safe handling of HMPs, tailored to the working conditions in Portuguese hospitals, which can be directly adopted (or adapted) for other EU settings based on similarities in working conditions and practices. These strategies aim to protect not only healthcare workers but also visitors and patients’ families. 4. EDUCATION AND EMPOWER: Training healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills required to safely handle HMPs and residues, as well as to effectively clean workplace surfaces, by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to the unique conditions of the healthcare environment, is essential. This initiative is crucial for promoting a safer workplace culture within Portuguese hospitals and can serve as a model across the EU. The SHIELD-HMP project is distinguished by its collaborative and interdisciplinary team, comprising academic experts, and representatives from key international networks (such as the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals) and stakeholders (including the European Society of Oncology Pharmacy). This collaborative strategy guarantees a holistic understanding of the target issues and enhances the project's chances for impactful success. By aligning with key initiatives like Horizon Europe (Mission on Cancer), the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work, 2030 Agenda, and the EU’s “Vision Zero” strategy, SHIELD-HMP contributes to a broader vision of a safer, healthier, and more resilient healthcare workforce. This not only enhances healthcare service quality but is also crucial for the health and safety of the EU population at large.