title: Oral chemotherapy handling and storage practices among Veterans Affairs oncology patients and caregivers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This questionnaire-based study was designed to identify the oral chemotherapy medication handling, storage, and disposal practices among cancer patients and their caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-center observational survey study approved by the Investigational Review Board and VA Research & Development Committee. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had an active order for an oral antineoplastic medication and an appointment at the oncology clinic. A questionnaire related to the storage, handling, disposal, patient education and counseling, and patients' perception of safety of oral antineoplastic medications was developed and given to patients in the clinic. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 45 surveys were given to eligible patients in the oncology clinic and 42 surveys were returned to the study team. The majority, 40 participants (95%) were male. Participants ranged in age from 51 to 85 years (median, 65 years). Thirty-eight patients (90.5%) responded that the medication was stored away from extreme heat, cold, and humidity. Thirty-two patients (76%) reported keeping their medications in the original container. Hand washing was not a consistent practice among patients. Eleven patients (26%) reported always washing their hands after handling their anticancer medication; another 6 (14%) responded "sometimes". Of the 42 participants who answered, only 6 patients (14%) reported always or sometimes wearing gloves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of patients responding to this survey store their oral anticancer medications appropriately, but patients' and caregivers' handling and disposal practices are inconsistent and frequently do not follow the published recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Trovato
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tuttle
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017028:Caregivers; D003625:Data Collection; D004356:Drug Storage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012449:Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Antineoplastic agents; administration; drug disposal/methods; drug handling/methods; drug storage/methods; oral