Cytotoxic chemotherapy agents are classified as Hazardous Drugs, and have been used for decades to treat cancer. There is a risk of occupational exposure to these drugs for healthcare personnel who handle them. There are guidance and safety measures in place to protect workers from exposure to these hazardous substances, yet adverse reactions are still being reported by healthcare workers who handle them.
This study, scheduled to begin in 2025, will explore the experiences, beliefs and behaviour of UK registered nurses who handle Hazardous Drugs.
Project Aims
- To identify factors that impact registered nurses use of safe handling measures when handling HD.
- To identify where improvements to adherence to safety measures when handling HD for registered nurses can be made.
- Based on previous aims, make theory-based recommendations to improve practice.
Project Team
Impacts
This research project is unique as it is specifically targeting UK Registered Nurses using a behaviour psychology approach, to identify what influences their behaviour in adhering or not adhering to Hazardous Drug safety measures.
This insight into their behaviour will be used to recommend specific behaviours to target, and the development of interventions and policies to improve safe handling of Hazardous Drugs, reduce occupational exposure and their associated health risks.
Contact
Please contact Alison.simons2@mail.bcu.ac.uk for more information on the project