The investigation of protective nursing precautions taken in chemotherapy applications

Purpose: To investigate the protective nursing precautions taken during preparation and administration of chemotherapy by the nursing staff and to register their opinions and viewpoints for the improvement of the existing situation. Methods: A questionnaire was constructed in order to find out what protective precautions the nurses preparing and administering chemotherapy take. The study included 55 nurses who accepted to join the investigation. Results: The data supplied from the investigation showed that the protective measures are considered 'partially sufficient' by 59.04% of the nurses and 96.36% of them complain about 'negative physical effects' attributed to chemotherapy. Although 94.5% were aware of the precautions that should be taken, only 12.73% of the nurses actually took them. In relation to the demands of the nurses towards an improvement of the existing situation, 28.96% of them stated that they wanted a biological safety cabinet for the preparation of chemotherapeutic agents and 25.52% asked for sufficient disposable material. Conclusion: The nursing staff has enough information about the necessary protective measures that must be taken during preparation and administration of chemotherapy. However, not all of them actually apply them. The situation could improve upon establishing inservice education and training programs. Also, administrative measures towards amelioration of the working conditions could help to a great extent.