Oncology Nurses' Knowledge of Safety Guidelines and Compliance with Safe Handling of Antineoplastic Agents in a Tertiary Hospitall

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the knowledge and compliance of guidelines for safe handling of antineoplastic agents among the oncology nurses. METHODS: The participants were 186 nurses from oncology-hematology unit, and outpatient's infusion room in a tertiary hospital. The levels of knowledge of safety guidelines and compliance with safe handling of antineoplastic agents of oncology nurses were measured using structured questionnaires from October 1 to November 30, 2014. RESULTS: Oncology nurses' knowledge of guideline for safe handling of antineoplastic agents presented an average 79.7 out of 100 points. Compliance with safe handling of antineoplastic agents presented an average 4.28 (range 2.9~5) out of 5 points. The knowledge of guidelines for safe handling of antineoplastic agents was related with oncology experience (F=3.78, p=.012). There were positive relationships of knowledge and compliance with safe handling of antineoplastic agents (r=0.23, p=.002). CONCLUSION: The findings showed that there was a need to establish efficient guidelines for the safe handling of antineoplastic agents and develop our structured, continuous educational program for the improvement of safe practices related to the handling of antineoplastic agents. The developed and enhanced that guideline and educational program would contribute to improvement of staff and patient safety related to the handling of antineoplastic agents.