Perceptions on the management, exposure, biosafety and handling of cytostatics in the nursing staff of a private health institution in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires

Abstract

Introduction: The oncology nurse practitioner is trained with knowledge about cancer, treatment modalities, patient care scenarios. The risk to exposure resulting from handling cytostatics can affect the health of healthcare workers. Objective: to describe the biosafety measures for handling cytostatics and the clinical signs and symptoms resulting from exposure to these drugs in the nursing staff of a private health care institution in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out. The sample consisted of 31 nursing professionals. The data collection instrument used was the one proposed by Villa and Varela-Díaz (2020), which records sociodemographic, occupational, health and biosafety measures data.

Results: The sample was 74.2% female, the average age was 37.67±6.79, 58.1% had a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, with an average experience in oncology of 4.06±4.09. Of the participants, 96.8% administered cytostatics and 51.6% were involved in disposal. The main symptoms reported were headache and abdominal pain with 64.5% and 45.2% respectively. 41.9% referred to paraclinical examinations and control by the institution.

Conclusions: Nursing personnel are exposed to high occupational risks when dealing with cytostatics. Compliance with protocols for handling and disposal is required in order to raise patient safety and occupational safety standards.