CN88 - Handling cancer drugs: Inventory of the state of knowledge and educational opportunities in Sweden

Background

Swedish National Working Group for handling cancer drugs is supportive by the regional cancer center in collaboration. The focus is to develop and ensure the availability of educational activities for the safe handling of cancer drugs from a patient safety and work environment perspective. Handling chemotherapy and other potent cancer drugs requires up-to-date knowledge and effective routines to foster both patient and occupational safety. The risks for exposure, from preparation to excretion, are well documented. The aim of this study was to map knowledge and education levels for registered nurses and nurse assistants handling chemotherapy and other cancer drugs in Sweden, as well as to identify education needs, reported by 1^st line managers.

Methods

A digital survey was sent out to first line managers across Sweden. The managers, who responded anonymously, all had employees in their teams, handling antineoplastic agents, for example preparing, administering and/or caring for patients who have received cancer drugs. The survey included questions concerning training for newly employed nurses and assistant nurses, follow-up of training, guidelines related to pregnancy, experiences with risk assessments and swab tests.

Results

Out of 136 responding managers, 22% reported no dedicated training for newly employed nurses and 50% stated that there is no requirement for training for nurses and/or nurse assistant before handling cancer drugs. For newly employed nurse assistant, 79% of the managers responded no requirement for training before caring for patients receiving cancer drugs. The majority of managers stated that guidelines for pregnant women were in place, but not for staff planning a pregnancy. In addition, 58% of the managers stated that there was no regular follow-up of the staff's knowledge levels, 35% performed annual risk assessments and 17% reported performing regular swab tests on the clinical surface’s/devices.

Conclusions

Deficiencies in training for newly hired nursing staff and lack of regular follow-up of knowledge identify both patient-, and occupational safety risks. Stronger requirements for education is needed, in addition to improved education possibilities, introduction and refresher training.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

National working group in handling cancer drugs within RCC i collaboration.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.