title: Safe handling and administration of antineoplastic chemotherapy.
abstract: Antineoplastic chemotherapy describes a group of hazardous drugs commonly used in the treatment of cancer. Since the discovery of their presence in nurses and pharmacists more than 2 decades ago, numerous studies have reported on the short- and long-term consequences of exposure. Guidelines describing proper equipment and procedures have been established in an effort to eliminate or minimize environmental and biologic exposure. Nursing compliance, however, has been variable. This article describes the dangers of exposure, how it occurs, and steps to keep nurses safe while working with these hazardous drugs.
authors.affiliation: Infusion Services, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA. seisenbe@seattlecca.org
authors.forename: Seth
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents