Personal Protective Equipment Use and Surface Contamination With Antineoplastic Drugs: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND

Surface contamination with antineoplastic drugs (ADs) is persistent. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is recommended to reduce exposure to ADs.

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses' PPE use and surface contamination with ADs.

METHODS

Demographic characteristics, PPE use, and associated factors were assessed on two inpatient oncology units where etoposide and cyclophosphamide were administered before (N = 26) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 31).

FINDINGS

PPE use when handling contaminated excreta was significantly higher during the pandemic. Perceived risk of chemotherapy exposure was significantly associated with greater PPE use when handling AD-contaminated excreta, and conflict of interest was related to less PPE use during AD administration and handling of AD-contaminated excreta. During the pandemic, surface contamination with etoposide increased in shared areas and decreased in patient rooms.