2010, Cilt 17, Sayı 2, Sayfa(lar) 013-023
The Use of Protective Measures by Nurses who Prepare and Administer Chemotherapeutic Drugs and Factors these Measures Affecting
Prof. Dr. Nermin OLGUN1, Hemş. Hüsniye ŞİMŞEK2
1Acıbadem Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Hemşirelik Bölümü, İstanbul, Türkiye
2Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Balcalı Hastanesi, Adana, Türkiye
Keywords: Standards on safe use of chemotherapeutic drugs, , protective measures, nurse

Aim: This cross-sectional descriptive study which has taken place between May-October 2009, has been conducted to determine the adequacy of safety measures taken by nurses and the factors that prevent sufficient protection against chemotherapeutic applications.

Method: Sample group consisted of 130 nurses employed in three public and five university hospitals who administer chemotherapy and have agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected through questionnaire which consisted of questions regarding demographic variables, protective measures used during various activities with cytotoxic drugs, and factors preventing the use of protective measures.

Result: As a result of nurses it was identified that nurses did not take protective measures during preparation and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs, and waste disposals. Most often protective measures taken by nurses during the use of chemotherapeutic drugs was the use of gloves. Nurses did not receive regular training about the safe use of chemotherapeutic agents, those who received training protected themselves much better. Shortage of materials and workload were main factors that influence the use of protective measures.

Conclusion: Health care institutions should conform to the standards of safe use of antineoplastic drugs, which has been proposed by the Ministry of Health and Association of Oncology Nurses.