This study of just one kind of medicine, used in a wide variety of settings, highlights the potential for accidental exposure to non-nursing staff, especially those with a low awareness of the potential for contamination of patient skin, clothing and bedding.
Evidence from:
T Meijster et al. Ann. Occ. Hyg. (2006) Vol.50 p 657 – 664
“Exposure to Antineoplastic Drugs outside the Hospital Environment”
The degree of risk to home care and nursing home staff cannot be assessed from this study. However, it is clear that protocols are not providing as much protection as would be expected in a hospital setting.
It should be expected that employees will come into contact with drugs which are not fully metabolised and metabolic by products, especially where these are present on the skin of the patient.
Further detail: