Safe handling of cytotoxic drugs practices for nurses working with patients in middle euphrates oncology teaching hospitals

Abstract

Background: The expanding use of chemotherapy medications has resulted in an increase in chemotherapeutics exposures amongst nurses who work in oncology departments. Chemotherapy drugs agents may have toxicological consequences in humans, such as carcinogenic effects, teratogenic effects, and mutagenicity (Sarita Devi, 2019). Objectives of the study: to assess nurses practices for safe preparation and administration of cytotoxic drugs in the oncology teaching hospitals. Methodology: descriptive–observational study design carried out to assess the nurses practices regarding safe of the preparation and administration of cytotoxic drugs .purposeful sample from (125) nurses who provide direct care for patient receiving chemotherapy drugs were selected. Result: Represent that most of the sample shows fair practice regarding preparation of chemotherapy (cytotoxic) that considered as key element of handling of cytotoxic medications in a safe manner, also that the majority of the nurses who participate in the study related to practical level of the study sample related to chemotherapy administration fair. Conclusion: Regarding the nurses practices with respect to the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs during their daily caring in the oncology units the statistical results recorded moderate level of practices.