Chemotherapy Administration

[angelRN64]

I work in an outpatient cancer clinic of a hospital in Wisconsin. I have a question about wearing gowns to administer chemotherapy (in the outpatient setting). What are all of you doing?

We use the Phaseal system and do not wear gowns, but I am aware that the ONS statement is that a gown will be worn when administering chemo.

Thanks for your feedback.

Ellen

[chemoqueen, BSN, RN]

In our clinic, we wear glowns to mix chemo , but it is up to the individual nurse about wearing a gown. I do not, but always wear chemo gloves when adding to fluid bag or giving IVP.

I work in an outpatient cancer clinic of a hospital in Wisconsin. I have a question about wearing gowns to administer chemotherapy (in the outpatient setting). What are all of you doing?

We use the Phaseal system and do not wear gowns, but I am aware that the ONS statement is that a gown will be worn when administering chemo.

Thanks for your feedback.

Ellen

[gaulkari]

I think better safe than sorry. I had a pt who used to be a oncology nurse tell me she thinks the reason she has cancer now was due to not using protective gowns/gloves/ facemask when she gave chemo. ONS probably should be the final authority.

[wiegel34]

I work in an outpatient cancer clinic of a hospital in Wisconsin. I have a question about wearing gowns to administer chemotherapy (in the outpatient setting). What are all of you doing?

We use the Phaseal system and do not wear gowns, but I am aware that the ONS statement is that a gown will be worn when administering chemo.

Thanks for your feedback.

Ellen

I also work in an outpatient setting, we have the Phaseal system, but I ALWAYS wear chemo gloves whe administering any chemo drugs. I don't use masks or gowns. :)

[das]

I work in an outpatient Oncology office and we do not wear gowns, always wear gloves when handling chemo and administering it. We have gowns and goggles available to anyone who would like to use them, but I haven't worn a gown since I left the inpatient setting

[lcctracy]

I work in an outpatient cancer clinic of a hospital in Wisconsin. I have a question about wearing gowns to administer chemotherapy (in the outpatient setting). What are all of you doing?

We use the Phaseal system and do not wear gowns, but I am aware that the ONS statement is that a gown will be worn when administering chemo.

Thanks for your feedback.

Ellen

I work in a Cancer Center at Hong Kong St. Teresa's Hospital. It is recommended to wear gown for reconstitution of the drug. We wear only latex gloves to administer chemotherapy.

Tracy

[Nesher, BSN, RN]

My hospital follows the ONS guidelines for chemo administation - using gown, chemo gloves, mask with eye shield - the whole shebang.

[lmarkie]

I work in an ambulatory infusion center and we are encouraged to follow ONS indications and wear the appropriate PPA (personal protective attire) when giving chemo. Even though many times I feel like I am careful and what not theoretically- you are giving chemo all day and exposed to so much stuff on a daily basis...ehy take the chance- it is really to protect you.

[julieK]

First of all, ONS should be the standard. I'm pretty sure they recommend gown and gloves - even goggles, though, if you're not mixing, that's pretty hard-core.

I work on an inpatient unit, and we don't take the bag out of the plastic it comes in without gloves on. However, I've been to the outpatient clinic and they handle the bags all the time without gloves. They don gloves when they go to give it to the patient, but they go over and adjust the rate all the time without.

-Julie

[beebee17]

I am not a nurse, I am a community carer. How vulnerable am I when caring for chemo patients in their homes during their recovery week after the treatment? How toxic is that environment for those who share the home?

[Nesher, BSN, RN]

Unless you are bathing yourself in their urine - you are fine caring for them in their homes.

[wiegel34]

As a caregiver there is usally no risk, the only exception would be if you come into contact with their excretions. In the home and also in our out paient setting we reccomend that they flush the toilet twice and to always wah their hands well after using the bathroom. This is due to the chance that not all the drug was completely

metabolized,and exceted in the urine. Also flushing the toilet twice removes any chance that some of the drug would be left in the stool for children or amimals to come into contact with. There is no need to wear gloves or to worry about your safety as a caregiver otherwise. I hope this answers your concerns.