Sjuksköterskors oro i samband med cytostatikahantering
En kvantitativ studie
AimThe aim of this study was to investigate and describe qualified nurses? worries related to handling chemotherapeutic drugs, further is the aim to explore if the nurses comply with the guidelines at a haematological ward. MethodThe cross-sectional study uses a descriptive design and a quantitative approach to analyze nurses? worries at a haematological ward. The data has been collected through questionnaires which were handed out to 42 nurses at the haematological ward. The questionnaires included 17 questions that were designed by the authors of this study, and 32 nurses returned the questionnaire. ResultsThe majority of the nurses declared that they handle chemotherapeutic drugs once or more a week. The results of the study show that the nurses´ comply with the available guidelines are relatively good. Almost two thirds consider themselves to know a great deal of the risks caused by exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs. Forty-two percent of the nurses reported that they do not get updated education about chemotherapy related issues. The result indicates that the nurses are not particularly concerned when handling chemotherapeutic drugs. However, one of the main concerns among nurses is the fact that chemotherapeutic drugs can affect their pregnancy. The respondents are also concerned about handling chemotherapeutic spills. The majority of the nurses declared that they would feel safer in their working environment if they were systematically screened for chemotherapeutic abnormalities. ConclusionsThe study illustrates that nurses generally adhere to the available guidelines at the current ward. The nurses consider themselves to know a great deal about the risks of handling chemotherapeutic drugs. In addition, the result indicates that they are not concerned about handling chemotherapeutic drugs or the risk of exposure. Nurses declare themselves to possess a great deal of knowledge about the risks of handling chemotherapeutic drugs and are therefore not especially concerned. Most likely, knowledge contributes to better compliance to guidelines.