Safe handling practices of cytotoxic drugs: the results of a chapter survey.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe how nurses from a local Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chapter Implement Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for handling cytotoxic drugs (CDs) in their individual practices and to identify barriers to implementing these guidelines.

DESIGN

Mailed survey.

SETTING

ONS chapter in a large midwestern city.

SAMPLE

103 nurses, 83 of whom handle CDs. Mean years in oncology nursing was 7.5.

METHODS

Mailed survey consisting of 48 questions on seven topics, as well as demographic questions.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Roles in preparation and administration of CDs, management spills, patient care, and use of protective equipment in patient and family education practices; barriers to use of protective practices.

FINDINGS

Subjects used some protective equipment when preparing and administering CDs, but the type of equipment and its frequency of use did not specifically meet OSHA Guidelines. Rates of compliance with guidelines were better for management of spills and disposal of equipment. Verbal instructions for patients and families were employed but very few provided written instructions or explanations. Barriers to using protective equipment included a lack of time, problems with availability, and concerns about patient reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

Barriers must be overcome and better safe-handling practices incorporated into practice to ensure the safety of nurses. More education is needed for family members who come into contact with patients receiving CDs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Future research to document the extent of the problem, including stratification of responses according to the quantity and frequency with which a nurse administers CDs. Better, and perhaps more frequent, staff and family education efforts are needed.