The European Biosafety Network (EBN) has published an article in the Global Journal of Medical Therapeutics on “Occupational Safety in Oncology Nursing: Findings from a National Survey on the Handling of Cytotoxic Substances in Germany“.
Oncology nurses in Germany are routinely exposed to cytotoxic drugs that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic. Continuous or repeated contact, particularly in environments where containment systems and protective measures are inadequate or inconsistent, has been associated with incidence of adverse events, including malignancies, reproductive disorders, and genetic damage.
The EBN conducted a national cross-sectional survey, in collaboration with the Konferenz Onkologischer Kranken- und Kinderpflege. Familiarity with safety guidelines was inconsistent, with more than 40% of the workforce unfamiliar or unsure. Access to basic PPE, such as gloves, was nearly universal (93.0%), yet fewer than one-third (32.2%) reported access to closed-system transfer devices (CSTDs). Additionally, medical monitoring was absent in nearly two-thirds of institutions surveyed.
Substantial gaps between regulatory standards and clinical practice remain in Germany, leaving oncology nurses vulnerable to unacceptable exposure levels. Greater standardisation, investment in closed-system technologies, and improved monitoring and reporting mechanisms are urgently needed to protect this workforce and align practice with international safety standards.
Read the full article here: https://www.gjmt.net/_files/ugd/3223ef_d9d577472c85438f807b09a659ad930b.pdf
