title: Oral agents for cancer: safety challenges and recommendations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lack of knowledge and standardization of safety practices related to prescribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring oral agents for cancer (OACs) has created significant safety challenges for patients and healthcare providers. Problems identified with the use of OACs include possible medication errors, increased potential for toxicity, unintentional exposure of hazardous medications to healthcare providers and informal caregivers, and possible pollution of the environment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this review is to provide information about the current state of knowledge and recommendations in the literature regarding safety concerns with OACs and strategies for risk reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles published from 2003-2014 were retrieved using PubMed, CINAHL®, and the Cochrane Library.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As the number of OACs continues to increase, existing standards related to medication errors and safety will require ongoing revision to lessen the risks and hazards for patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
authors.affiliation: Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center in Milwaukee.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rudnitzki
authors.affiliation: Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D061214:Patient Safety; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: adherence; antineoplastic agents; errors; hazardous; oral chemotherapy; safety; safety standards