title: Handling of hazardous drugs - Effect of an innovative teaching session for nursing students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Imparting knowledge and practical skills in hazardous drug handling in nursing students' education is essential to prevent hazardous exposure and to preserve nurses' health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at comparing routine nursing education with an additional innovative teaching session.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective controlled study in nursing students was conducted in two study periods: (i) a status-quo period (routine education on handling hazardous drugs) followed by (ii) an intervention period (additional innovative teaching session on handling hazardous drugs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nursing students at a vocational school were invited to participate voluntarily.
  
  
  METHODS
  In both study periods (i) and (ii), the following factors were analysed: (a) knowledge of hazardous drug handling by questionnaire, (b) practical skills in hazardous drug handling (e.g. cleaning) by a simulated handling scenario, (c) contamination with drug residuals on the work surface by fluorescent imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-three nursing students were enrolled. (a) Median knowledge improved from status-quo (39% right answers) to intervention (65%, p<0.001), (b) practical skills improved from status-quo (53% of all participants cleaned the work surface) to intervention (92%, p<0.001). (c) Median number of particles/m2decreased from status-quo to intervention (932/97, p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with routine education, knowledge and practical skills in hazardous drug handling were significantly improved after an innovative teaching session. Additionally, the amount of residuals on the work surface decreased. This indicates a lower risk for hazardous drug exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety Center, University of Leipzig, Eilenburger Str. 15a, 04317 Leipzig, Germany; Pharmacy Department and Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety Center, University of Leipzig, Eilenburger Str. 15a, 04317 Leipzig, Germany; Pharmacy Department and Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartl
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety Center, University of Leipzig, Eilenburger Str. 15a, 04317 Leipzig, Germany; Pharmacy Department and Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Standfuß
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences, Institute of Experimental Physics I, Linnéstraße 5, 04103, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: till.moehn@studserv.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Till
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Möhn
authors.affiliation: Department of Women and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Centre for Paediatric Research, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: astrid.bertsche@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertsche
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Department and Drug Safety Center, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: apotheke@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frontini
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety Center, University of Leipzig, Eilenburger Str. 15a, 04317 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Neininger
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Safety Center, University of Leipzig, Eilenburger Str. 15a, 04317 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: klinische.pharmazie@uni-leipzig.de.
authors.forename: Thilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bertsche
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008509:Medication Systems / Q000592:standards*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000592:standards; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances
keywords: Fluorescence imaging; Hazardous drugs; Nursing education; Nursing students; Occupational safety