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Preventing the contamination of hospital personnel by cytotoxic agents: evaluation and training of the para‐professional healthcare workers in oncology units
Author(s) -
Kieffer C.,
Verhaeghe P.,
Lagrassa S.,
Grégoire R.,
Moussaoui Z.,
CasterasDucros C.,
Clark J.E.,
Vanelle P.,
Rathelot P.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12249
Subject(s) - medicine , personal protective equipment , health professionals , occupational exposure , health care , family medicine , medical emergency , nursing , covid-19 , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , economic growth
This study was specifically focused on para‐professional healthcare workers ( PHCWs ) who handle cytotoxic drugs and contaminated wastes at the P ublic T eaching H ospitals of M arseille ( AP ‐ HM ), F rance. It first aimed at evaluating the knowledge and professional practice of the PHCWs who belong to a personnel category among the less informed and protected in hospitals. In a second time, this study also proposed to raise awareness, educate and train the staff on protective measures to minimise the exposure of the PHCWs to the potential toxicity of anticancer chemotherapy agents (or metabolites) when cleaning and handling both cytotoxic drugs and wastes. Among the 11 oncology units evaluated, 82% completed an assessment survey, 63% of which were PHCWs . Out of nine oncology units assessed, 89% reported limited knowledge of the general risk and of the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs, 89% reported using vinyl gloves which are the less protective ones. Forty‐four per cent of the units used wet sweeping techniques for cleaning the floors, and 11% of the units did not have specific procedures for cleaning the equipments used for collecting contaminated excreta. Protective outer apparel was not always worn and chemotherapy wastes were not managed consistently between all units. Standardized procedures and guidelines to prevent occupational exposure were not used by PHCWs . More education and training are needed to improve safety.