A study to assess the practices regarding safe handling of chemo- therapeutic drugs among nursing personnel

Introduction: Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases around the world. According to recent reports by World Health Organization (WHO), the incidence of cancer will increase in future decades. In fact, this condition is expected to be the second most common cause of mortality. Hazardous drugs have been used for many years in cancer treatment. Nursing personnel have a major responsibility in ensuring safe handling of chemotherapeutic agents. This study was undertaken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs among nursing personnel in tertiary care hospital, India. Aim: The aim is to assess the practices regarding safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs among nursing personnel. Material and Methods: - Non-experimental descriptive approach was used. Through convenient sampling, 60 subjects were selected. Self reporting practices rating scale to assess was used to assess practices. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and ANOVA /t- tests were used to analysis data. Results: - The result revealed that the majority of nursing personnel (51.7%) had average practices regarding safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs. The statistically highly significant association was found between practices regarding safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs and oncology work experience of nursing personnel, and challenge in safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs. Conclusion: - The results of the present study reveal that there were average practices regarding safe handling of chemotherapeutic drugs among nursing personnel of tertiary care hospital, India.