Journal List > Asian Oncol Nurs > v.18(4) > 1111247

Kim, Hong, Chung, and Park: Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs and Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Nurses at a Regional Cancer Center

Abstract

Purpose

This purpose of this study was to identify the level of safe-handling of cytotoxic drugs and use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) among nurses at a regional cancer center in South Korea.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The participants were 131 nurses who care for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Demographic information, safe-handling of cytotoxic drugs and use of PPE were collected using questionnaires from May 7 to 25, 2018.

Results

Response rate was 98.4%. The mean age of the nurses was 28.2±4.4 years and their clinical nursing experience was 4.34±3.93 years. The mean scores out of 5 for the participants' safe handling of cytotoxic drugs was 3.73± 0.43. In use of PPE, the mean score of wearing gloves, masks, and gowns were 3.89±.77, 3.06±1.04, and 2.34±0.98, respectively. The main reason for not wearing PPE was ‘too busy’ (62.8%). The level of safe-handling of cytotoxic drugs was not significantly different according to any variables, but the use of PPE was significantly different according to age (p=.021).

Conclusion

The findings showed that nurses had exposure to cytotoxic drugs in the processes of preparation, administration, cleaning of spills, and handling of patient waste. Education programs and continuous monitoring are needed to improve the use of PPE among nurses and trigger the appropriate motivation for consistent personal protection.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

General Characteristics of Subjects (N=131)

aon-18-206-i001

*Multiple response.

Table 2

Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs (N=131)

aon-18-206-i002
Table 3-1

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (N=131)

aon-18-206-i003

IV= Intravenous; NA= Non applicable.

Table 3-2

Reason for not Use of Personal Protective Equipment (N=131)

aon-18-206-i004

IV= Intravenous; PPE= Personal protective equipment.

Table 4

Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs and Use of Personal Protective Equipment according to General Characteristics of Subjects (N=131)

aon-18-206-i005

NS*= Non significance of Scheffé test.

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TOOLS
ORCID iDs

Seon Mi Kim
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1033-4536

Seon Ok Hong
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4929-5589

Hye Sook Chung
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9273-1342

Jeong Yun Park
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0210-8213

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