Exploring the Current Practices of Nurses, Preparing and Administering Chemotherapeutic Drugs to Children

Abstract

Introduction: Emergence of chemotherapeutic drugs has immensely benefitted current prognosis of childhood cancers but unintentional exposure to harmful agents may endanger life of health care workers who repeatedly get exposed to cytotoxic drugs. Nurses’ safety can be ensured with evidence based standard protocols related to chemotherapeutic drug preparation and administration, use of PPE, proper handling of hazardous waste, spill management etc. Objective: To explore ongoing practices, casual daily routine activities, information and work profile of nurses who prepare and administer cytotoxic drugs to children. Methodology: Observation sheet for casual daily routine activities with eight different aspects addressing knowledge, infection control practices, spacing and storage, availability of resources, disposal and cleaning practices. Identification data sheet of nurses including their socio-demographic data and work profile. Checklists were used to assess methods of chemotherapy preparation and administration through Oral, IV, IM and SC routes. Results: Total 30 observations were made regarding casual daily routine activities. 27 out of 30 nurses had knowledge of common childhood cancers, commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs, their side effects. There was no separate designated area for preparation and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs. The median time working in hematology and oncology unit was 4 years (0.2 to 20). Aspects of preparation and administration that put nurses at risk of occupational hazard are poor spill management, lack of uniformity in procedures and side effects of accidental exposure to hazardous drugs. Conclusion: The findings conclude that safety of nurses is the key component to be stressed upon. Health care professionals need to adopt more standardized practices to ensure their own safety as well as patient’s safety.