Safe handling of anti-neoplastic drugs in the university hospitals: A descriptive survey study among oncology nurses

Abstract

Background: Occupational exposure to anti-neoplastic drugs (ANPDs) is still a concern among oncology health care workers. Objectives: The current study aims at evaluating the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of oncology nurses towards the safe handling of ANPDs as well as determining the educational needs for the promotion of safe behaviours. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted between November 2014 and August 2015 in 6 university hospitals in Iran. A specialized questionnaire (4 sections and 49-items) was developed by a clinical pharmacologist and an occupational toxicologist in order to assess the KAP of oncology nurses in terms of safe handling of ANPDs. Results: A total of 80 nurses responded to the questionnaire. The KAP scores of oncology nurses towards the safe handling of ANPDs were fairly satisfactory. The mean scores of responses for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 54.30 ± 10.86 out of 65, 32.83 ± 5.88 out of 40, and 50.35 ± 10.21 out of 60, respectively. About half of the nurses were trained in oncology ward (by in-service training) and most of them used unreliable sources of information for safe handling of ANPDs. Conclusions: While the nurses’ knowledge in safe handling of ANPDs is acceptable, training providers and information sources are not appropriate. An ongoing educational program provided by expert pharmacists could decrease the occupational exposure to ANPDs.