Nurses who treat cancer patients with chemotherapy are at risk for dangerous accidental exposure to the drugs, according to a new study.
As MyHealthNewsDaily reports, the University of Michigan researchers who conducted the study largely blamed the problem on under-staffing and limited resources at outpatient centers, where chemotherapy most often is delivered.
The toxic effects of accidental chemotherapy exposure can interfere with the human nervous and reproductive systems, and also can increase the risk of developing blood cancers, the researchers said.
The survey of 1,339 oncology nurses working in outpatient care in Michigan found that nearly 17 percent reported exposure to the drugs on their skin or eyes. Such exposure is as risky to a nurse’s health as getting accidentally stuck with a needle, according to the researchers.
But while stick incidents have become rare events in which nurses are immediately evaluated and treated, “We don’t have that with chemotherapy exposure,” said researcher Christopher Friese, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing.
The study also found that nurses reported fewer exposures in settings where two or more nurses were required to verify chemotherapy orders. “This research shows that paying attention to the workload, the health of an organization and the quality of working conditions pays off. It’s not just about job satisfaction — it’s likely to lower the risk of these occupational hazards,” Friese said.
The researchers noted that safety guidelines for using gowns, gloves and other protective gear while handling chemotherapy drugs have been issued by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, but the guidelines are not mandatory.
CHRISTINE YOUNG
I would like to stress though, as wonderful as it is to see a growing number of survivors, it is important that people do what they can to prevent cancer in the first place.