Factors affecting and strategies for safe handling of chemotherapy: A narrative review

Background: Chemotherapy poses significant occupational hazards to healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, with exposure to cytotoxic drugs linked to severe health consequences such as cancer, infertility, and miscarriages. This review examines factors influencing safe chemotherapy handling and identifies strategies to minimize exposure risks.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases and keywords like "chemotherapy," "safe handling," "hazardous drugs," and "nurses." Studies on individual and organizational factors influencing safe practices were included, while review articles and theses were excluded. The findings from multiple sources were synthesized to highlight key strategies for improving chemotherapy safety.
Results: Individual factors affecting safe handling include knowledge of chemotherapy hazards, self-efficacy in using personal protective equipment (PPE), and perceived risk of exposure. Organizational factors include workplace safety climate, clear policies and procedures, availability of PPE, workload, staffing ratios, managerial support, and comprehensive training programs.
Conclusion: Ensuring safe chemotherapy handling requires a multi-faceted approach addressing both individual and organizational factors. Key strategies include enhancing knowledge through education, promoting self-efficacy, fostering a positive safety climate, developing clear policies, ensuring adequate resources, optimizing staffing, providing managerial support, and implementing continuous training programs to improve safe practices.