title: Safe handling of cytotoxic agents: a team approach.
abstract: The use of cytotoxic medications has become increasingly prevalent in the OR for the treatment of bladder tumors. Perioperative nursing staff members in the day surgery unit, OR, and postanesthesia care unit at St Mary's General Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, expressed concern about their lack of knowledge in the safe handling of cytotoxic medications and contaminated wastes. Facility educators recognized this as an area of risk for the hospital and a learning need for staff members. As a result, they formed a committee with members representing nursing, pharmacy, infection control, occupational health, and environmental safety to develop a policy and protocol for the safe use of cytotoxic medications.
authors.affiliation: St Mary's General Hosptial, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Willemsen-McBride
authors.forename: Tara L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Willemson-McBride
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gehan
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000592:standards*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000592:standards*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents