Improving compliance with personal protective equipment use through the model for improvement and staff champions.

Abstract

Although the known risks of exposure to hazardous drugs have been well documented and disseminated, certain barriers remain in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by nurses administering chemotherapy. At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a program was developed that incorporated not only monitoring and reporting compliance of the use of PPE, but also engaged the staff in audit and reporting activities. Compliance rates improved dramatically over time and have remained at high levels.