A study published in the American Journal of Nursing examined nurses' use of double gloves and nonabsorbent gowns when handling or administering antineoplastic drugs, which are known or probable human carcinogens.
For the study, researchers used data collected from 40,000-plus U.S. and Canadian nurses participating in the Nurses' Health Study 3. They examined the use of gloves and gowns and administration of antineoplastic drugs within the past month among nonpregnant nurses and within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy among pregnant nurses.
Researchers found 36 percent of nonpregnant nurses had administered antineoplastic drugs at any time during their career, including 27 percent who reported administering the drugs within the past month. Among pregnant nurses, 7 percent reported administering antineoplastic drugs during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
However, 12 percent of nonpregnant nurses and 9 percent of pregnant nurses reported they never wore gloves when administering antineoplastic drugs. Forty-two percent of nonpregnant nurses and 38 percent of pregnant nurses reported never using a gown.
"These findings underscore the need for further education and training to ensure that both employers and nurses understand the risks involved and know which precautionary measures will minimize such exposures," study authors concluded.