The occupational risks and health effects resulting from exposition to cytotoxic drugs preparation

Abstract

Health professionals dealing with cytotoxic drugs are exposed to occupational hazards, which need to be controlled and reduced to the lowest possible level. The research intends to analyse the effect on the health of the manipulators and the main risks exposition in the preparation of cytotoxic drugs. To achieve this aim, a quantitative analysis was carried out based on data collected through the application of a survey developed for cytotoxic drugs manipulators in Portuguese Oncology institutions. The main results show some symptoms for general manipulators, the occurrence of accidents in the past and more training is required as important. The number of accidents is not connected with more training needs and proceedings lack of knowledge by manipulators. The research intends to contribute to the manipulation of cytotoxic drugs by health professionals, proposing the necessity of better and good practices implemented and organised throughout the CTX manipulation process that must be transversal between different oncology institutions.