Predictor Factors Associated With Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Precautions Across a UK Oncology Nurse Sample and Implications for Novel Treatments

Objectives

The development and use of novel systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) treatments are advancing rapidly. While cytotoxic drugs have traditionally been the cornerstone of treatment, they are increasingly used alongside novel agents. This study aims to assess factors affecting adherence to safe-handling precautions, enhance safety protocols, and minimize potential occupational exposure to hazards in clinical environments, increasing their capacity for novel treatments.

Methods

Cross-sectional, online survey of oncology nurses across the UK who handled SACT. Participants were asked to complete the Factors Predicting Use of Hazardous Drug Safe-Handling Precautions Questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, Spearman rank correlation coefficients, and regression analysis were performed to determine the predictors of precautionary use when handling HDs.

Findings

Analysis of (n = 675) participants revealed high knowledge of exposure, high self-efficacy, low perceived barriers, moderate perceived risks, high interpersonal influence, low conflict of interest and moderate safety climate in the workplace. The analysis of the data also indicated weak positive correlations between age and knowledge (rs = 0.093), self-efficacy (rs = 0.103) and safe-handling scores (rs = 0.082); the age of the participants has a weak negative correlation to perceived barriers (rs = –0.141), conflict of interest (rs = –0.116), and workplace safety climate(rs = –0.116). Notably, safe handling scores showed no significant correlation with other theoretical predictors. Comparison between government and private sector nurses (n = 76) demonstrated higher patient volumes F (15.807, 74), P < .001 and significantly lower safe handling scores in the government settings F (4.135, 74) P < .05.

Conclusions

Nurse-patient ratios between government and private sector settings predict global safe-handling precautions.

Implications for practice

Novel treatments for nurse-patient ratios are essential, as new therapies and schedules further create additional workload pressures that may reduce safe handling practices.