• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2004

Purpose : To provide basic data for establishing the policy of safe handling of cytotoxic drugs and for building training materials and clinical guidelines for nurses handling cytotoxic drugs. Methods: 255 nurses in Seoul and 257 nurses in D metropolitan area participated in the study. Questionnaires were based on the safe handling guideline for cytotoxic drugs issued by OSHA and ONA. Results: Nurses in Seoul scored higher in the cognition for safe handling guidelines of cytotoxic drugs in preparation, administration. as well as total score compared with nurses in D metropolitan area. The practical score also showed higher in nurses in Seoul in administration, disposal and total score. But both groups showed low level of practical score. The answers why they could not follow the guideline for cytotoxic drugs were "don't have", "busy", and "don't know", etc Conclusion: Handling of the cytotoxic drug is very common and important. The study findings suggest that hospitals especially in D metropolitan area should educate the nurses and supply equipments for safe handling of cytotoxic drugs. Thus, repetitive and continual education of all nurses including experts is needed. In addition, it is necessary to supply enough protective equipment for preventing exposure to the cytotoxic drugs.