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Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Agents: A Team Approach
Author(s) -
WillemsonMcBride Tara L.,
Gehan Karen
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/j.aorn.2009.06.021
Subject(s) - medicine , pharmacy , perioperative nursing , unit (ring theory) , infection control , health care , nursing , perioperative , medical emergency , family medicine , intensive care medicine , surgery , psychology , mathematics education , economics , economic growth
The use of cytotoxic medications has become increasingly prevalent in the OR for the treatment of bladder tumors. Perioperative nursing staff members in the day surgery unit, OR, and postanesthesia care unit at St Mary's General Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, expressed concern about their lack of knowledge in the safe handling of cytotoxic medications and contaminated wastes. Facility educators recognized this as an area of risk for the hospital and a learning need for staff members. As a result, they formed a committee with members representing nursing, pharmacy, infection control, occupational health, and environmental safety to develop a policy and protocol for the safe use of cytotoxic medications. AORN J 90 (November 2009) 731–740. © AORN, Inc, 2009.