3985 - EONS Poster - Systemic Anticancer Therapy Administration Safety

Background

SACT safety in administration and waste disposal Our original article explored the immediate adverse effects experienced by nurses during the administration of systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), specifically cytotoxic chemotherapy, and whether closed systems are being used tominimise exposure risk. Many SACT agents are known to be carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic and this has led to concerns relating to the increased number of healthcare workers potentially exposed to these agents.

An anonymous online survey was designed, made up of four questions, to elicit whether adverse effects were experienced by nurses during preparation, administration or following administration of chemotherapy. A total of 46% of respondents stated that they experienced some form of adverse effect either during preparation, administration or following administration of SACT. More formal research is required in this area to explore the relationship between exposure to SACT and perceived adverse effects in healthcare workers administering SACT. As a follow up to this survey, we are going to develop a further survey to elicit healthcare professionals awareness of SACT exposure risk, education / training provision and current practices in relation to SACT administration and waste disposal.

Methods

In our original study, a short anonymous online survey was designed made up of four questions to elicit whether adverse effects were experienced by nurses during preparation or administration or following administration of chemotherapy. This was distributed via social media and networking contacts. For our follow-up survey, we will replicate this method, including questions about awareness, education / training and current practice in relation to SACT administration and waste disposal

Results

of the original study were obtained through the questionnaire responses which were analysed and presented using a quantitative approach. The follow up survey will require a mixed methods approach to analysis to elicit greater depth of information from participants.

Conclusions

Following quantitative analysis of our original survey, we concluded that further research was required in this area, hence the need for additional data collection via a further online survey.

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

Samantha Toland and Alison Simons.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Editorial Acknowledgement

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.